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Reform of the law on homicide is 'long overdue' (8 September 2010)

Commenting on the Director of Public Prosecutions' comments on the laws on murder, Jon Collins, Campaign Director for the Criminal Justice Alliance, said:

'Keir Starmer is right to call for these reforms. The current law is too inflexible, while attempts by the previous Government to reform the law on murder piecemeal were a mistake.

'The law on murder needs wholesale reform, in line with the sensible recommendations set out by the Law Commission. Creating a charge of second-degree murder would prevent the use of the mandatory life sentence when it is neither necessary nor fair, while the distinction between first and second degree murder would bring clarity to this complex legal area.

'Reform of the law on homicide is long overdue, and the Government's current sentencing review is the perfect opportunity to look at this complex but important issue. The Government should look at today's comments from the Director of Public Prosecutions and recognise the need to make these changes.'