Justice

What is your role on justice issues?

I am proud to serve as the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Justice, giving me a national platform to fight for a fairer, more effective justice system for both our constituency and the whole country.

What have you done about Chichester Crown Court?

Chichester Crown Court has now reopened, and I'm proud to have campaigned hard to make that happen. Its closure was a blow to local justice, forcing victims, witnesses and defendants alike to travel far from home at an already stressful time. Restoring it was a matter of fairness for our community, and I'm delighted it has been delivered.

What are you doing about Chichester's custody centre?

Despite the good news on the Crown Court, there is still more to do. Chichester's custody centre remains closed, and I am continuing to campaign for its reopening. Our local police need the right facilities to do their jobs properly, and the community deserves a justice system that is properly resourced right here in Chichester.

What is your position on the proposal to abolish jury trials?

I am firmly opposed to David Lammy's scheme to abolish jury trials for a wide range of offences. Trial by jury is one of the oldest principles of English Common Law, and one of the most fundamental protections in our legal system - the right to be judged by your peers, not just the state. Undermining that principle would be a serious blow to justice, and I will use my platform as Spokesperson for Justice to oppose it.

What is your position on the right to protest?

The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of democracy, and I am deeply concerned by the Government's proposal to allow police to restrict recurring protests based on their supposed "cumulative impact": a concept that could see lawful, peaceful demonstrations banned simply because other unrelated protests took place nearby. I have added my name to Early Day Motion 2272 calling on the Government to withdraw or substantially amend it.

The Liberal Democrats opposed the Conservatives' crackdown on protest at every stage, including voting against the Public Order Act. We believe the police already have sufficient powers to deal with protests that go beyond peaceful assembly, and we are committed to scrapping these newer restrictions and restoring long-standing protections for free expression.

What are you doing for LGBT veterans?

Until the year 2000, thousands of LGBT personnel were dismissed from the UK Armed Forces simply because of their sexuality, enduring humiliating investigations, the loss of medals and pensions, and the lifelong trauma of discrimination.

The Government has pledged £75 million in reparations, but the rollout has been painfully slow. Of the 1,289 applications received since December 2024, only 84 payments have been made. That is not good enough. In July 2025 I held a debate in Westminster Hall calling on the Ministry of Defence to urgently accelerate payments, improve communication with applicants, streamline its processes, and boost staffing. Justice delayed is justice denied, and these veterans have already waited far too long.

What is your position on reparatory justice for the slave trade?

The Atlantic Slave Trade was one of the most horrific chapters in human history, and it is right that we have honest and open conversations about its impact. The Liberal Democrats believe that continued aid and direct support for Commonwealth countries is the most effective way to address that legacy.

That is why I am so concerned that both the Conservatives and Labour have slashed Britain's international aid budget, hurting the world's most vulnerable people. I am calling on the Government to restore the 0.7% of national income target for international development spending: this is a commitment Liberal Democrats enshrined in law when we were in government, and one that I will keep fighting for.