Justice Secretary says there will be life sentences for killer drivers
It follows our Justice for Joseph campaign
The Justice Secretary's promising to honour our campaign in memory of a young Rochdale man by bringing in life sentences for killer drivers.
Joseph Brown-Lartey, 25, died when a car sped through a red light at over 80mph - hitting his car and splitting it in two.
The driver served less than three years - which prompted us to launch our Justice for Joseph Campaign.
After a consultation in 2017 the Government promised it would change legislation so that life sentences could be handed out in the most serious of cases.
Now, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said this 'will happen' this year.
"The necessary legislation will be published very, very shortly, and we'll be able to follow through, not just with the commitment of the last Government, but my own personal campaign within Government to get this done."
He went on to say:
"We owe it to families, like the Brown-Lartey's, and the family of Kristian Johnson, to do this."
In February, Conservative former prime minister Theresa May called on the Government to support her dangerous driving bill.
Mrs May told the Commons: I am sure (Mr Johnson) is aware that my ten minute rule bill would increase the maximum penalty for death by dangerous driving to life imprisonment.
The policy and the bill have cross-party support, the policy has Government support, the bill does not. The Government says it will introduce the policy in its Sentencing Bill of which we have seen, as yet, no sign.
So, will the Government now give Government time to my bill to ensure this necessary change is put on the statute book as soon as possible?''
Boris Johnson replied: I am very grateful to (Mrs May) and she is absolutely right to campaign for punishments that fit the crime, and we're therefore bringing forward exactly those changes in our forthcoming Sentencing Bill.
Our proposals, I believe, will go as far, if not even further, than those that she wants by raising the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drugs and alcohol - and they will tighten the law for those who cause serious injury by careless driving.''