David Lammy on backlog of cases

“There can be no more dithering or delay when it comes to co-opting empty public buildings to act as temporary courts during the pandemic, as Labour has been telling the government to do for months.

“This is a backlog which has been building up long before Covid-19, due to a decade of court closures and cuts. Now the virus has compounded the problem even further, the government must take urgent action.

“Justice delayed too long becomes justice denied.”

Ends

Notes to Editors

· In a report published on Tuesday by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate – who carried out an inspection to look at the CPS’s handling of the pandemic after lockdown measures were imposed in March - warned there were challenges to come with the backlog of cases which are increasing daily, with some estimates indicating that it could take up to a decade to clear.