Whole-life Sentences

Lord Lloyd of Berwick Excerpts

Wednesday 17th July 2013 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Lloyd of Berwick]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Bamber and others v United Kingdom.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally)]

My Lords, the Government are disappointed with the court’s ruling. We are making a full analysis of the judgment and will provide our considered response in due course.

[Lord Lloyd of Berwick]

My Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights recently decided by 16 votes to one that the 49 prisoners currently serving whole-life sentences in the United Kingdom are entitled to a review after 25 years. A review does not mean that they will necessarily be released. Can he confirm that whole-life prisoners had always been entitled under our law to a review after 25 years until they lost that right in 2003, it seems almost as a result of an oversight? Will he therefore ensure that the right to a review after 25 years is restored to all our whole-life prisoners as soon as possible in accordance with the court’s decision?