Criminal Justice Reform

Debate between Lord Lemos and Viscount Hailsham

Tuesday 8th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Hailsham (Con)]

My Lords, with regard to excluding those convicted of manslaughter from early release, should we not keep in mind that manslaughter involves varying degrees of culpability, from the very serious to those which are less serious? There are cases involving, for example, a high degree of provocation or diminished responsibility, or, for example, a common assault where a single blow fells the victim who falls, hits his head on a table and dies. These are offences which vary in culpability to a high degree and I suggest that they should not be classed in one single spectrum.

[Lord Lemos (Lab)]

I entirely agree with those comments from the noble Viscount. That is absolutely right. We obviously have to be consistent in the way we apply these exemptions, but the variation he points to is exactly right.