The Liberal Democrats reacted furiously today after being accused by Tories of putting innocent people’s lives at risk by “blocking” tougher knife laws.
A Tory London MP claimed it was “extraordinary” that senior Lib-Dems were stopping his plan to give automatic jail terms to people twice found carrying a knife.
But party members said no decision had been taken on the rules and accused Tories of using the tragic death of teacher Ann Maguire to make political gain. A senior source told the Standard: “The idea that Nick Clegg or any other Liberal Democrat would seek to make society less safe is absolutely ridiculous.”
The row exploded when two letters from Lib-Dem ministers to Mr Clegg were leaked today. One, from Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander, suggested jailing more offenders would be expensive. A second, from schools minister David Laws, said he would not support mandatory sentences.
They were leaked to the Daily Mail hours after London Tory MP Nick de Bois proposed new rules in Parliament which would see people convicted for the second time of carrying a knife automatically jailed for six months.
Enfield MP Mr De Bois, whose proposals are backed by Tory Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, said: “It’s extraordinary that Lib-Dems are choosing to block this — I can’t pretend to understand their reasons.
“Undoubtedly, if people are carrying knives then other people’s lives are at risk — so we need this legislation.”
But the senior Lib-Dem source said the rules were still under discussion and that it was normal for the Treasury and its ministers to question the cost of any policy.
He said: “Rightly there is a debate going on about how to improve policy on knife crime that’s driven by a desire to find what is the most effective way of tackling it. While [Mr De Bois’ plan] sounds like a superficially good idea, it undermines the role of judges who are best placed to decide on sentences.”
The source added: “The people who have leaked this correspondence and are seeking to use it on a party political basis in such a tragic week will have to look at their own consciences.”
The Lib-Dems claimed Tory Cabinet minister Ken Clarke — Mr Grayling’s predecessor as Justice Secretary — supported its opposition to the move.
