Leslie Grantham was convicted of murder and served 10 years in prison. He seems to have changed his spots since (whether acting in Eastenders constitutes a useful contribution to society is perhaps an arguable point

The authoritarian right (and its tabloid cheerleaders) are doing their damndest to undermine a basic principle of English law: criminals are punished, not to provide “justice” for victims (whatever that may mean), but to maintain and preserve the Queen’s peace (ie, protect the public).

Learco Chindamo is in jail, not to make Mrs Lawrence feel good or to satisfy her desire for revenge, but because the law considers that the whole community needs protection from those who kill other human beings.

In English law, it makes not the slightest difference if Chindamo killed a devoutly Roman Catholic headmaster or an alcoholic down-and-out with no family or friends. In Sharia law, by contrast, it makes every difference. If the victim pardons the criminal, then the criminal walks free. If the victim wants him dead, then he dies. Indeed, quite recently, a Saudi man pardoned his son’s murderer so he could get into Paradise more easily. The killer was freed.

Is this the kind of “justice” we want? Frances Lawrence and the right-wing groups making use of her appear to be calling for something that at the very least incorporates aspects of it.

We had a similar furore a few years ago over the release of Robert Thompson and Jon Venbales (the killers of James Bulger). The tabloids (some of whom came perilously close to inciting the murder of Thompson and Venables) were saying that the two killers should be locked up for as long as James Bulger’s mother wished (so she, and the dead James, could have “justice”). As I said at the time, are Mrs Fergus (or the shadowy groups manipulating her) going to pick up the bill?

The politicians, once again, prove themselves utterly craven in the face of tabloid clamour (”clamour” is the term employed by Lord Goff in the Thompson and Venables case). And that is precisely why we need an independent judiciary and a Human Right Act.

Frances Lawrence is one of the least qualified people on Earth to say what should be done with Learco Chindamo, because she is completely lacking in objectivity (obviously and understandably).

Mrs Lawrence is being set up by sections of the media as some kind of secular saint whose words may not be criticised. What we do need to bear in mind is (1) her history of expressing socially authoritarian opinions which she knows full well the media will broadcast far and wide, and (2) her close association with right-wing groups, such as the Police Federation and the ex-MP Harry Greenway (well-known for his homophobia and collection of antique canes).

Has Iain Dale ever argued that Tony Martin should have been kept in jail to provide “justice” for the late Freddie Barrass and his family?

Get my point?