Contributions
97 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Victims and Courts BillWhen I served in the police force, my work often ended when we put perpetrators behind bars, or sometimes when I stood in court to give evidence, but the victims’ ordeals do not…27 Oct 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI would share those concerns, but I have complete faith and confidence in my Front-Bench colleagues—more so than the previous Government. Building new places alone is not enough.…16 Sept 2025HANSARD Sentencing BillI rise to speak in the debate from the perspective of a former serving police officer; I saw first hand how our justice system far too often failed communities and, most…16 Sept 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhen police officers up and down the country—like my former colleagues—reach 20 years of service, they receive a long-term service medal, but police community support officers do…15 Sept 2025HANSARDTrial by Jury: Proposed RestrictionsWith the Crown court backlog that we inherited at such high levels, and continuing to rise, does the Minister agree that tackling it means not just adding more sitting days but…09 Jul 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing BillThe shadow Minister will know from our time in Committee that I am an ex-police officer, and I thank him for his words about police officers serving the country. Does he agree…17 Jun 2025HANSARDSpending Review 2025I thank the Chancellor for announcement of the extra funding for crumbling schools. As we know, schools across the country were left to fail under the 14 years of the previous…11 Jun 2025HANSARDViolent Offenders: Early ReleaseIn March, I met people from the Justice for Victims campaign group. One family told me that their young daughter was killed by an unlicensed, uninsured driver. They were asked to…03 Jun 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Thirteenth sitting)I welcome the new clauses—thinking back to my policing days, they are extremely welcome. Is there a risk that if we do not add these clauses to restrict such sales, knife crime…08 May 2025HANSARDEngagementsIn 2018 my constituent, Richard Wellington, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma and given just 12 months to live. Against the odds, he is still with us today. He knows his time is…07 May 2025HANSARDEngagementsQ1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 7 May.07 May 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Seventh sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Lewell. As we have heard today, and for those who have encountered it in their constituencies, cuckooing is one of the most…08 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Eighth sitting)I absolutely, wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend. It is crazy that it was not mandatory in the beginning but, as he says, we have all taken steps to make sure that it is…08 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Eighth sitting)Clause 45 demonstrates, once again, that this Government are serious about protecting children from what I think we would all agree is one of the most hideous of crimes—child…08 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Eighth sitting)I have dealt with many victims in these cases and heard what they want. Does my hon. Friend agree that what they really want is action, rather than just more inquiries with no…08 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger. As we have heard from both sides of the Committee, child criminal exploitation is one of the most appalling forms of…03 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Third sitting)I will just draw the Committee’s attention to the fact that one of my other former roles was as a tenancy enforcement caseworker for a social housing company. I can assure the…01 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Fourth sitting)Something that I think we in this House agree on, that I know the police agree on, and that I think the wider public agree on—hon. Members might hear me say this a lot in…01 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Third sitting)Perhaps the hon. Member can offer some thoughts as to why we might have huge backlogs in the court system.01 Apr 2025HANSARDCrime and Policing Bill (Third sitting)I thank the hon. Member for giving way. To clarify, I did not ask for solutions; our Government have the solutions.01 Apr 2025