Former Labour MP Stephen Pound has referred to criminals who refuse to attend sentencing as "murderous scum" during a heated debate on GB News.
His comments come as the Labour government prepares to introduce the Victims and Courts Bill to Parliament.
The new legislation will impose tougher sentences on offenders who skip their sentencing hearings in England and Wales.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to change the law to allow prison officers to use "reasonable force" to bring convicted criminals to face justice.
Mike Parry and Stephen Dixon entered into a furious debate
GB NEWS
Offenders who continue to resist could face an additional two years behind bars.
The bill comes after several high-profile cases where offenders refused to face victims' families during sentencing, sparking public outrage.
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Speaking about this on GB News, Stephen Pound said: "There is a bit of a problem with this, because I think every right-minded person would say that the criminal should actually face the consequences of their actions, and they should face the victim's family in court.
"We all agree. However, the practicalities of it make that impossible because you'd have to drag them in."
Mike Parry fumed: "Always making excuses. Honestly, your side is always making excuses about why it can’t be done."
Pound said: "I have to say, your side is always coming up with these grandiose ideas without actually working out the details."
GB News host Andrew Pierce said: "Bind and gag them and put them in the stand."
Pound said: "Oh, come on. Can you imagine what that would look like?"
Andrew hit back: "Why are we worrying about the prisoners' rights?"
Pound said: "Look, I’ll tell you what I’m worried about. I’m worried about people having sympathy for these murdering scum because they see them dragged into court and gagged."
Not appearing for the sentencing could mean criminlas face harsher penalties
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Parry said: "Once again, Stephen, you know, you come into these TV studios making the case for the criminal rather than the victim."
Pound responded: "This is what we know. This is what we have to examine. I'm a red-hot poker man when it comes to that, to be fair."
Under the new legislation, criminals who skip sentencing hearings will face additional jail time or loss of privileges in prison.
The power of custody officers to use force to make criminals appear in the dock or via video link will be enshrined in law.
