Labour MP says Starmer should be ashamed over scrapping jury trials

Karl Turner broke the Labour whip to oppose Justice Secretary David Lammy's 'swift courts' plan to limit some jury trials; the government has not yet brought forward legislation.

Karl Turner, a Labour MP and former barrister, told Sir Keir Starmer he ought to be "ashamed of himself" over proposals to remove the right to jury trials in some cases. Turner broke the party whip and was the only Labour MP to vote against a Commons motion on the issue. Justice Secretary David Lammy has proposed so-called "swift courts" where judges would hear certain cases alone to help reduce a Crown Court backlog approaching 80,000 cases. The measures follow a review by retired judge Sir Brian Leveson and the government has not yet introduced legislation. Key facts: - Karl Turner broke the Labour whip for the first time since 2010 and voted against the Commons motion on the proposals. - Justice Secretary David Lammy has proposed "swift courts" in England and Wales, with judges sitting alone in some trials to address a Crown Court backlog near 80,000 cases. - Under the proposals, defendants charged with many "either way" offences could lose the right to elect a jury trial; only offences carrying more than three years' punishment would automatically go to a jury. - The measures follow the Leveson review; the government has not yet brought forward legislation on these reforms. Summary: Turner's rebellion highlights a clear split within Labour over David Lammy's proposals to limit jury trials in some cases as part of efforts to cut waiting times in the criminal justice system. Undetermined at this time.