Labour MPs have voted to change sentencing laws which would see rapists and paedophiles released from prison early.
The Commons passed the second reading of the Sentencing Bill 340-76 last night - which, if passed, is set to see those found guilty of a wide range of serious violent and sexual offences being released from prison having served just one third of their sentence.
Such offences include rape, paying a child under 13 for sex, penetrating a child under 13 and creating indecent photographs of children.
Shadow Justice Minister Dr Kieran Mullan called the vote "shameful" and said: "The Prime Minister has again and again talked about his commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.
The Commons passed the second reading of the Sentencing Bill 340-77 last night
|HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Sentencing Bill will see offenders being released from prison having served as little as one third of their sentence
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"And we have all also been shocked as a nation by the grooming gangs scandal. But where have the warm words led us?
"They have led us to the Prime Minister instructing Labour MPs to vote to let rapists and paedophiles out of prison earlier.
"Not as some temporary measures to tackle prison overcrowding. But as a profound and permanent change to our sentencing laws.
"It is disgraceful and I think the constituents of the Labour MPs that voted for this will be horrified."
He added: "I implore [Labour MPs] to not have their legacy be letting people that sexually assault children and that drag women into dark alleyways and rape them get out of prison earlier."
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Dr Kieran Mullan has slated the Sentencing Bill and urged Labour MPs to stop it
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The Sentencing Bill would only see prisoners released early if they obey the rules in prison and actively engage with rehabilitative programmes.
The Bill also includes expanding the trial of chemical castration, with more than 6,000 sex offenders being offered drugs to reduce their urges.
Currently in existence in four prisons in the southwest, the voluntary scheme will be rolled out in 20 prisons in the northwest and northeast.
According to Justice Secretary David Lammy, the medicine limits "problematic sexual arousal" and the hope is that it will reduce the risk of sex offenders committing further crimes.
David Lammy has explained the chemical castration scheme will be expanded across the northwest and northeast of the country
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Mr Lammy said: "Evidence shows this medication helps suppress urges, which is why we're expanding access to it.
"This is part of out comprehensive approach to managing dangerous offenders and preventing reoffending.
"Make no mistake, those who commit serious crimes will face the full force of the law.
"But alongside prison, we have a duty to use every method available to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public, as part of our plan for change."
There are two different types of drugs being used in the current trial to reduce an individual's libido.
The more common, which is taken by around 86 per cent of offenders, are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
SSRIs are pills which reduce compulsive sexual thoughts - but do not have any effect on testosterone.
The other is a hormonal type of drug which lowers testosterone levels, and mimics physical castration.
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