This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65211469

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Labour's Lucy Powell refuses to back claim in Sunak attack ad Labour's Lucy Powell refuses to back claim in Sunak attack ad
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: Labour's Lucy Powell refused to tell Naga Munchetty whether she backed the ad's claim or notWatch: Labour's Lucy Powell refused to tell Naga Munchetty whether she backed the ad's claim or not
Watch: Labour's Lucy Powell refused to tell Naga Munchetty whether she backed the ad's claim or notWatch: Labour's Lucy Powell refused to tell Naga Munchetty whether she backed the ad's claim or not
A Labour shadow minister has refused to say whether she stands by a claim in a party attack advert which said Rishi Sunak does not think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison. A Labour shadow minister has refused to say whether she stands by a claim in a party attack advert which said Rishi Sunak did not think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison.
Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell repeatedly refused to endorse the ad.Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell repeatedly refused to endorse the ad.
But she said she stood by the campaign, saying it highlighted apparent failings in the justice system.
The advert, posted on Thursday, has attracted cross-party criticism.The advert, posted on Thursday, has attracted cross-party criticism.
Despite the backlash, Labour tweeted a second advert on Friday - accusing Mr Sunak of being soft on gun crime.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Powell said she stood by Labour's campaign, saying it highlighted apparent failings in the justice system.
Next to a photo and mock signature of the prime minister, the ad says: "Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn't."Next to a photo and mock signature of the prime minister, the ad says: "Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn't."
Asked on BBC Breakfast if she stood by the Twitter post, Ms Powell said: "What I stand by is what that graphic is trying to show, which is that the prime minister of our country is responsible for the criminal justice system of our country - and currently that criminal justice system is not working."
The advert posted by Labour
Asked whether she stood by the message, she said: "I stand by what this tweet and this campaign is trying to highlight.
"The graphic itself, obviously, is a skit based on his own graphics that he extensively uses," she added, in an at times fiery exchange.
"I can see it's not to everybody's taste and some people won't like it.
"I didn't design the graphic but I'm here to explain what lies beneath it - which is a very serious point about what is happening to our criminal justice system, which is pretty shocking."
Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell urged the party to withdraw the tweet, saying: "This is not the sort of politics a Labour Party, confident of its own values and preparing to govern, should be engaged in."
The caption accompanying the campaign graphic says: "Labour is the party of law and order."The caption accompanying the campaign graphic says: "Labour is the party of law and order."
Crime is traditionally safer ground for the Conservatives, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer believes the issue can be a vote winner for his party. The advert posted by Labour
Although it's not something councils are directly responsible for, crime has become a key talking point in the run-up to the local elections next month. Ms Powell said: "I stand by what this tweet and this campaign is trying to highlight.
In the cut-and-thrust of campaigns, parties often make spurious claims about their opponents. "The graphic itself, obviously, is a skit based on his own graphics that he extensively uses," she added, in an at times fiery exchange with BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty.
However, Sir Keir has been careful to cultivate the perception that his party is the "grown-up in the room". "I can see it's not to everybody's taste and some people won't like it."
With that in mind, many Labour supporters believe this advert could do more harm than good. A number of high-profile politicians have condemned the ad - including Labour's former deputy leader John McDonnell who urged the party to withdraw the tweet.
Others, though, may be happy to keep questions about the Tories' record on crime near the top of the agenda, regardless of the tactics.
The advert said that, under the Conservative government, 4,500 "adults convicted of sexually assaulting children under 16 served no prison time," promising that Labour would "lock up dangerous child abusers".
The data appears to come from Labour research released earlier this week that said that more than 4,000 convicted child sex offenders have avoided jail terms since 2010, when the Tories came to power under David Cameron.
There are four main types of sentencing in the UK - prison, community sentences, fines and discharges - which are decided by judges and magistrates, who take into account factors such as the seriousness of the crime, as well as sentencing guidelines.
According to the Labour data, since 2010 many convicted sex offenders have been granted suspended or community sentences, rather than full jail terms.
Former Conservative cabinet minister Rory Stewart - who served as justice minister under Theresa May's premiership - was among those criticising the tweet, calling for "policy not polarisation".Former Conservative cabinet minister Rory Stewart - who served as justice minister under Theresa May's premiership - was among those criticising the tweet, calling for "policy not polarisation".
He said: "Is someone going to point out that this is about laws, sentencing guidelines and judicial practices? That were not and would not be different under Labour? Or talk about how even tougher sentences have overcrowded prisons?"He said: "Is someone going to point out that this is about laws, sentencing guidelines and judicial practices? That were not and would not be different under Labour? Or talk about how even tougher sentences have overcrowded prisons?"
Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood described the ad as "appalling" and claimed it threatened to undermine the democratic process, adding: "We should be better than this. I've called it out on my own side for stooping low and do so again now."Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood described the ad as "appalling" and claimed it threatened to undermine the democratic process, adding: "We should be better than this. I've called it out on my own side for stooping low and do so again now."
Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson said the post was "nauseating" and that it "cheapened and debased" politics.Scottish National Party MP John Nicolson said the post was "nauseating" and that it "cheapened and debased" politics.
Labour, however, stood by the post with a spokesperson saying on Thursday: "The Conservatives have left dangerous convicted criminals free to roam the streets. We asked Labour how it came up with the figure - featured in the ad - of 4,500 adults "convicted of sexually assaulting children under 16" who served no prison time under the Conservatives.
"Labour is the party of law and order, and we will implement tougher sentences for dangerous criminals." It pointed us to Ministry of Justice statistics for England and Wales from 2010 to 2022.
If you look at adults - those over 18 - then you do get to that figure of people who were convicted but received a community sentence or a suspended sentence, rather than being sent to prison.
It's worth noting the figure covers both sexual assault of a child and sexual activity with a child - Labour's ad says the figure relates to sexual assault only, though its press release does mention both categories.
Sentencing Guidelines for courts in England and Wales do also allow for community sentences - as an alternative to prison - in cases of sexual activity with a child over 13.
The guidelines say: "Community orders can fulfil all of the purposes of sentencing. In particular, they can have the effect of restricting the offender's liberty while providing punishment in the community [and] rehabilitation for the offender".
Hours after Ms Powell said she stood by the ad, Labour issued the second advert attacking Mr Sunak with a similar theme.
The ad asked: "Do you think an adult convicted of possessing a gun with intent to harm should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn't."
It said 937 adults had been convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to harm but served no prison time, citing Ministry of Justice data.
Crime is traditionally safer ground for the Conservatives, but Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer believes the issue can be a vote winner for his party.
Although it is not something councils are directly responsible for, crime has become a key talking point in the run-up to the local elections next month.
In the cut-and-thrust of campaigns, parties often make spurious claims about their opponents.
However, Sir Keir has been careful to cultivate the perception that his party is the "grown-up in the room".
With that in mind, many Labour supporters believe these adverts could do more harm than good.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Lucy PowellLucy Powell
Rishi SunakRishi Sunak
Labour PartyLabour Party