Debates between Ellie Reeves and Philip Davies during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Female Offender Strategy: One Year On

Debate between Ellie Reeves and Philip Davies
Wednesday 24th July 2019

(5 years, 4 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Philip Davies Portrait Philip Davies
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Well, they have already had their kids taken off them, so why on earth is that a factor in whether they are sent to prison? They are deemed to be unfit mothers. We cannot have a get-out-of-jail card for people to say, “Oh, I’m a mother; I can commit any crime I like, but because I am a mother I shouldn’t be sent to prison.”

Ellie Reeves Portrait Ellie Reeves (Lewisham West and Penge) (Lab)
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Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Philip Davies Portrait Philip Davies
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No. I was in Bradford Crown Court recently, where a woman was convicted of a serious offence. Between being charged and her appearance in court, she had deliberately got pregnant in the hope that that would stop her from getting a custodial sentence. [Interruption.] The judge, who pointed out to her that she had deliberately got pregnant in order to avoid a custodial sentence, was not taken in, thankfully. [Interruption.] I want the Minister to make sure that we have equality in sentencing.