Lamont: Labour knife proposals are woefully inadequate

Conservatives pushing for real tough mandatory sentencing

The Scottish Labour Party has published amendments to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill which back long-standing Conservative proposals for mandatory sentences for knife crime. However, Labour's overall proposals are woefully inadequate and Scottish Conservatives will be tabling our own amendments to the Bill.

John Lamont MSP, Shadow Minister for Community Safety, says:

"Knife crime is not a new problem for Scotland but it has been a growing problem in recent years. Indeed, knife crime reached epidemic proportions when Labour was in Government in Scotland.

"It is too bad that it has taken Labour so long to realise that there was a problem and that urgent action was required. However, although we do welcome their conversion to our policy, Labour's plans are woefully inadequate.

"Because Labour supports early release, anyone sentenced to six months could be out in weeks. It is quite simply dishonest for Richard Baker and Labour to talk about a mandatory sentence without telling everyone that offenders will be released after just a few weeks.

"In any case, six months in itself is nowhere near tough enough. Conservatives want to abolish early release so our proposal for two year mandatory sentences would actually mean two years. Those who use knives should expect an even longer term in jail.

"If we don't take tough action now, then Scotland's knife crime epidemic will spiral out of all control. Court discretion will ensure that in the most exceptional cases the right decision is made.

"If you go out with a knife, you'll be going inside. Labour's eight years of failure paved the way for the SNP's soft-touch Scotland. We don't have any more time to waste and we will be tabling our own amendments to the Bill."

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