Andy Burnham 'to axe David Lammy's plans to scrap jury trials' when he becomes PM

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 13:00, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 13:04, 12 July 2026 Andy Burnham is considering whether to scrap the Government's controversial plans to curb jury trials. The incoming prime minister, who is due to replace Keir Starmer on 20 July, could rewrite planned legislation to remove the contentious proposals when he takes office. David Lammy, the current Justice Secretary and Deputy PM, has pushed the plans to limit jury trials as a means of tackling the huge backlog of crown court cases. His proposals in the Courts and Tribunals Bill would see jury trials in England and Wales limited to only those cases with a likely sentence of three years or more. Meanwhile, cases with a likely sentence of three years or less will only be heard by a single crown court judge, without a jury. But Mr Lammy has faced a huge backlash to the Bill from Labour backbenchers, rival parties and top barristers. Mr Burnham is among those to have urged a rethink of the legislation, having previously warned against removing 'something that's a lynchpin of a fair society'. Now, as he prepares to enter Downing Street a week tomorrow, Mr Burnham is reportedly poised to strike out sections of the Bill that relate to scrapping jury trials. Andy Burnham is considering whether to scrap the Government's controversial plans to curb jury trials David Lammy, the current Justice Secretary and Deputy PM, has pushed the plans to limit jury trials as a means of tackling the huge backlog of crown court cases This would allow the wider Bill to continue its passage through Parliament, without the risk of it getting voted down by MPs or peers who are opposed to the changes to jury trials.  Mr Burnham has let it be known he is committed to scrapping the plans to curb jury trials when he succeeds Sir Keir, according to the Telegraph. Although a source close to the former Greater Manchester mayor insisted that 'no decision has been made'. Karl Turner, the outspoken MP for Kingston upon Hull East who was stripped of the Labour whip earlier this year, is a leading critic of the Government's plans for jury trials. He said that Mr Burnham has been 'very supportive' of his campaign against the reforms. 'I think it was a policy which was made up by officials, lapped up by useless, ill-informed, lazy ministers, who knew an awful lot less about the policy and criminal justice system than I do,' Mr Turner, a former barrister, added. Speaking in the Commons in May, Mr Turner told Mr Lammy it must be 'absolutely exhausting' for him to 'hold on to an idea that only he still pretends is a good one'. He also told MPs that Mr Burnham is 'opposed to this ludicrous idea'. Speaking in December about the Government's proposed curbs to jury trials, Mr Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: 'My instinctive reaction is… I think proceed with huge caution and do not take away something that's a lynchpin of a fair society. 'My call on the Government is to pause this and take a step back and have proper consideration. 'I understand the pressure on the courts but this is about a fundamental part of our country. It has to proceed with broad consent if it's to proceed. 'Perhaps there's a case in some trials not to have a full jury trial. But it should be done with the broadest possible consent in society.' Mr Lammy is expected to lose his role as Deputy PM when Mr Burnham takes office, with Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell widely tipped to replace him. But it is not yet known whether Mr Burnham will keep Mr Lammy at the Ministry of Justice or retain him in another Cabinet position.