McLeish hits out at Labour 'nonsense' on prison sentencing

Published on Sunday 5 July 2009 22:12

FORMER first minister Henry McLeish today accused his party of talking "nonsense" over plans to overhaul prison sentencing.

He said Labour is misleading the public over Scottish Government plans to cut the number of short jail terms.

The criticism came as a report on English penal reform, led by Cherie Blair, QC, wife of former Labour prime minister Tony Blair, highlighted a "courageous lead" to tackle overcrowding in Scottish jails.

Mr McLeish had already set out proposals to replace short sentences with tougher community punishment as part of a commission for the SNP government. But Labour and Conservative MSPs have claimed that violent criminals will dodge jail under the plans – a position rejected by Mr McLeish.

He said: "It's manifestly nonsense. The prisons commission report was widely received and welcomed by most sections of Scottish society. The recommendations were evidence-based.

"The issue about six-month sentences has been taken massively out of context by Labour and Tories. We said there was a presumption against six-month sentences but the bench will still retain total discretion about sentencing."

He said anyone guilty of offences such as serious assault and attempted murder should be given longer sentences, while less serious crimes would be punished through tougher community sentences.

Mr McLeish, who led the Labour-Liberal Democrat executive at Holyrood in 2000-1, said: "The criticism from Labour and Tories doesn't add up."

But Labour community safety spokesman Paul Martin said: "There is nothing progressive about a policy that is dangerous, underfunded and would allow violent criminals back onto our streets."

He claimed justice secretary Kenny MacAskill was effectively issuing a "get out of jail" card.