Keir Monteith KC holds inaugural lecture at University of Manchester as Honorary Senior Lecturer

‘In my 12 years as an MP representing Manchester Central, I have campaigned to highlight the injustices I have seen in the criminal justice system. I have seen too many examples where culture, neighbourhood, class, and ethnicity have been used to build a case for prosecution. It is not uncommon for the music people listen to and the clothes they wear to be used to build a “gang narrative”, which is more likely to lead to conviction and to longer sentencing; even where there is very little direct evidence of defendants taking part in criminal activity. The criminal justice system has disproportionate negative outcomes for young black boys and the use of music to build a conviction plays a substantial role in that disproportionality.

I am working closely to support families who have seen their children’s dreams crushed and whose offences have been “proven” by their associations and their interests, which significantly impacts on how cases play out in the investigation stage and through the court process. I am committed to lobbying for change along with my Labour colleagues, including David Lammy, who has campaigned on this for many years, and we are raising these issues with Police forces, the CPS and Government ministers. Lucy would encourage all of those who are interested to sign up for this important lecture and support the Art Not Evidence campaign.’