Tory peer Lord Gove claims Justice Secretary David Lammy’s plans to eradicate trial by jury is wrong because it's an 'ancient liberty' and a 'cornerstone' of our freedom David Lammy (Image: PA)

Former justice secretary Michael Gove has slammed plans to eradicate trial by jury.

The Tory peer claims Justice Secretary David Lammy’s plans amount to taking a “flamethrower to the criminal justice system” to “scorch the earth”. Lord Gove admitted the backlog is “horrendous” and is a “living hell for victims” who have to wait for years for cases to be heard.

But he said such a move is wrong because “trial by jury is an ancient liberty which is a cornerstone of our architecture of freedom”. He warned that reducing the role and voice of ordinary citizens in public life sets a “perilou

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