Newly revealed Ministry of Justice guidance instructs UK judges to prioritize bail hearings for ethnic minorities, women, and transgender defendants. In other words, everyone other than straight, White, males.
According to The Telegraph, the policy advises courts to consider “historical trauma” and the impact of racism—potentially even suffered by a suspect’s ancestors—when deciding whether to grant bail.
Judges have been advised to consider historical trauma, including racism experienced by a suspect’s relatives. Campaigners argue that Blacks may still be affected by the legacy of slavery.
This move has sparked fresh outrage over what critics call a two-tier justice system that undermines equal treatment under the law. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick slammed the policy, accusing Labour of putting the public at risk.
“Instead of equality before the law, the Justice Secretary’s department believes in cultural relativism. This is a flagrant attack on the rule of law, and will put the British public at risk,” he said.
The guidance, issued in January, echoes controversial sentencing rules set to take effect this week, which require judges to factor in race and culture when determining punishments.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to block those sentencing guidelines, admitting they risk “eroding public confidence.” However, the bail policy—developed under Conservative leadership in 2016 but implemented under Labour—suggests deeper systemic changes favouring identity-based legal outcomes.
Hellbound and Down 