With every aspect of our criminal justice system – the police, courts, prison system and probation service – in a state of apparently permanent crisis thanks to 15 years of systemic underfunding, there seems little hope of fundamental change any time soon. 

Amidst the turmoil, Danny Shaw - a prominent voice in reporting and analysing criminal justice issues for 31 years at the BBC and, more recently, as an advisor to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper -  now finds himself shaping the very policies he once analysed. His unique experience, from the newsroom to influencing Labour’s criminal justice agenda, sets the stage for a profound exploration of the reality of reforming our crippled justice system.

In this latest episode of Double Jeopardy, Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen sit down with Danny to dissect the formulation of Labour's crime policies and the continuing controversy arising from the shooting of Chris Kaba.

Together, they navigate the delicate balance between political rhetoric and the practical realities of implementation without any promise of increased spending on justice.

As they unravel these intricate dynamics, the discussion shifts to the broader debate on policing, highlighting the legal and moral dilemmas that arise in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. Against the background of the acquittal of Met Police Firearms officer Martyn Blake for the shooting of South London gangster Chris Kaba, the trio discuss the law of self-defence, prosecutorial discretion and police accountability,  critically assessing whether current legislation adequately protects the police and whether proposed reforms go far enough to address the root issues of trust and transparency within the justice system. 

In a lively debate, Danny explains why he agrees with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley’s strong attack on the CPS for charging Martyn Blake and why he thinks Ken and Tim are wrong to believe that the DPP does not require fresh guidance to ensure that the police officers only face criminal charges when the law and the evidence supports a charging decision.

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