Government is responsible for dismal relationship with judges - Clegg

4.19.50pm GMT Mon 8th Jan 2007

Commenting on reports that senior judges have rejected sentencing reforms proposed by the Government, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Nick Clegg MP said:

"The Government only has itself to blame for the dismal relationship between ministers and judges reflected in this response.

"One Home Secretary after another has jumped to vilify judges at every turn, second guessing the decisions made in our courts according to the Government's own guidelines.

"No wonder these senior judges no longer believe the Home Office is capable of delivering anything but knee-jerk initiatives.

"We have long called for greater clarity and honesty in sentencing, but it now appears the Government will be unable to deliver that change because of the damage it has done to the vital relationship with the judiciary."

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