Labour's Jonathan Reynolds backs 'Face the Family' campaign

The Shadow Business Secretary's become the latest MP to publicly back the 'Face the Family' campaign.

It is calling for a change in the law so offenders have to appear in court when they're sentenced.

The campaign launched, after the man who shot 9-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel in her own home in Dovecot refused to come up from the cells to hear his sentence, or the victim impact statements from Olivia's loved ones.

Labour's Jonathan Reynolds said: "I commend the campaign. I think (with) that particular case, you think about what the family had to go through, there's no way to mitigate that, but I think the change that you are proposing is a way to take away that last bit of insult, that last lack of respect, lack of recognition for what that person did.

"I think how our justice system works, how we bring people together in front of a jury of peers, that classic British justice system, it demands those parties being present.

"I'm very happy to support the campaign and I believe Sir Kier Starmer, our leader, someone whose background himself is putting criminals behind bars as Director of Public Prosecutions has given his support to it as well. Lets hope that's a change that can be made."

You can see who else has supported the campaign here.

When and how can I sign the petition?

An official government petition is live now, you can sign it here

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