Liz McInnes pushes government to bring in tougher sentences for dangerous driving

Liz McInnes MP

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Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has written to the Justice Secretary David Gauke MP to urge the government to announce the details of proposed changes to sentences for those who cause death by dangerous driving.

Ms McInnes is fighting in support of the Justice for Joseph campaign which has campaigned for changes to the law in memory of Joseph Brown-Lartey who was killed by a driver speeding at 80mph in a 30mph zone in 2014. His killer was sentenced to just six years.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/92400/man-dies-in-horrific-early-morning-car-crash

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/112048/parents-heartache-as-killer-of-joseph-brownlartey-moved-to-open-prison

Ms McInnes was awarded the ‘Parliamentarian of the Year’ award in 2016 by the road safety charity Brake for her work on the issue.

Following pressure from campaigners, including Ms McInnes, the government held a public consultation which ended in February 2017, and in October they announced their intention to introduce tougher sentences which better reflected the severity of the crime. However, since then ministers have been unable to confirm when they intend to change the law.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/106667/government-announces-consultation-on-dangerous-driving-sentences

Ms McInnes and other MPs have now written to the Justice Secretary in a bid to finally get the government to bring forward the changes.

Ms McInnes said: “Families who have lost loved ones in such tragic circumstances have for too long suffered the added injustice of the killer being handed a derisory sentence.

"We were all pleased last October when the government finally announced that they would introduce tougher sentences, but four months later we are still waiting for it to happen.

"I will keep fighting until the law changes. Joseph Brown-Lartey’s parents Ian and Dawn have fought so hard, and they and other campaigners have waited long enough.

"It is time for the government to act.”