Labour MP Demands Justice System Overhaul to Protect Victims
Natalie Fleet, the Labour MP for Bolsover, has issued a powerful plea to her parliamentary colleagues to support radical reforms that would introduce judge-only trials for certain criminal cases. Drawing from her own harrowing experience as a teenager who became pregnant after being groomed and raped, Fleet argues the current system is fundamentally broken, allowing criminals to manipulate proceedings while retraumatising victims.
"The Hell of Being Raped Made Worse"
In an exclusive statement, Fleet revealed she would actively discourage survivors from seeking justice through the courts under the present arrangements. "The hell of being raped is made worse by the hell of going through delays in the system," she stated with painful clarity. Having grown up on a council estate in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, Fleet emphasised she speaks from direct knowledge of communities where sexual violence is prevalent yet under-reported due to systemic failures.
"I know a lot of women who have been raped and I know drug dealers," Fleet explained, highlighting the stark contrast in how different offenders experience the justice system. "As somebody who has been raped, I would not report being raped under this current system." Her testimony underscores a crisis of confidence that prevents countless victims from coming forward.
Criminals "Gaming" the System Through Delay Tactics
Fleet presented a damning analysis of how drug dealers and other offenders exploit procedural loopholes. She described how those facing "either-way" offences—which can be tried in magistrates' or crown courts—routinely elect for jury trials specifically to prolong proceedings.
"They choose a jury with the intention that they knew it would take longer," Fleet revealed. "In the time they've been waiting for trial, they've had two children ... They're going to be in prison for a shorter time than they have been waiting for trial. This is a brilliant way to game the system." This strategic delay allows offenders to continue criminal activities while avoiding timely punishment, creating what Fleet calls a power imbalance favouring criminals over victims.
Backing Lammy's Controversial Proposals
The MP is supporting Justice Secretary David Lammy's contentious plans to establish a new criminal court structure featuring:
- Magistrates-only hearings for offences carrying maximum sentences of two years or less
- Judge-only trials for complex fraud cases
- Restricted access to jury trials for either-way offences
Fleet framed these changes as essential for clearing the enormous backlog of rape cases and delivering swifter justice. However, the proposals have encountered substantial opposition from across the political and legal spectrum.
Facing Opposition from Legal Establishment and Colleagues
The reforms have sparked significant backlash from legal professionals and dozens of Labour MPs and peers. Fleet specifically criticised fellow Labour MP Karl Turner, who has threatened to resign and trigger a byelection unless leader Keir Starmer abandons the plans.
"I'm not angry on behalf of the barrister class and the lawyer lobby," Fleet countered. "I am angry on behalf of the victims. You can shout and you can scream and you can brief and you can threaten a byelection. Or you can support the government on behalf of victims."
Prominent legal figures have voiced serious concerns. Labour peer Helena Kennedy, president of campaign group Justice, warned: "At time of low trust and limited judicial diversity, weakening jury trials could strip the justice system of legitimacy." Former shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti noted the government faces an uphill battle persuading the House of Lords, particularly without including sunset clauses for temporary provisions.
Questionable Impact on Court Backlogs
A sobering report from the Institute for Government released on Thursday suggests Lammy's proposals might deliver limited practical benefits. The analysis indicates that while judge-only trials could reduce jury trials by approximately 50%, the overall time saved in crown courts would be minimal—less than 2% of total court time.
The report projects the entire package of changes would likely achieve only a 7-10% reduction in courtroom time, with judge-only trials contributing just a fraction of that efficiency gain. This raises questions about whether the controversial reforms would meaningfully address the systemic delays that Fleet identifies as retraumatising victims.
Despite these concerns, Lammy continues to push forward with the justice system overhaul. Government officials acknowledge potential difficulties getting the legislation through the upper chamber without significant compromise, which could add to a growing list of high-profile policy reversals. Both Conservative and Liberal Democrat frontbenches have confirmed they will oppose the changes, while Labour backbenchers continue to express "significant disquiet" according to party sources.
Fleet's intervention represents a deeply personal challenge to parliamentary colleagues to prioritise victims' experiences over legal tradition and professional convenience. Her testimony highlights how procedural delays and strategic manipulation by offenders compound the trauma of sexual violence, creating what she describes as a system where power remains with criminals rather than those they have harmed.
