SDLP will vote against UK key crime legislation
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood said the party will vote against the Government’s key crime legislation, warning it could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than attacking a woman.
The Labour party has also signalled its intent to vote against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill this week.
Shadow justice secretary David Lammy said it contains “poorly thought out” proposals which would impose disproportionate controls on the right to protest. He instead urged ministers to drop the legislation, and work cross-party to legislate to tackle violence against women.
The call comes in the wake of the suspected murder of Sarah Everard. Mr Lammy said Ms Everard’s death has “instigated a national demand for action to tackle violence against women”.
Mr Eastwood said he and South Belfast MP Claire Hanna will vote against the legislation.
He added: “Instead of bringing forward a tangible action plan, the British Government are rushing forward with a bad piece of legislation to strengthen the hand of the Police in England and in Wales, something people will find very difficult to reconcile given the appalling actions of the Met force on Saturday
night in London. If this legislation is passed, it could lead to harsher penalties for damaging a statue than for attacking a woman. That is completely unjust and unjustifiable.”
A DUP spokesperson said the party is due to meet Ministers in relation to this Bill today.
He added: “We have reservations about some areas within the legislation, but it will likely achieve its second reading. There are two areas directly applicable to Northern Ireland which would be beneficial in tackling crime here.” He added: “We will work with other parties on amendments through the Committee and Report stages.”