The Home Secretary, David Blunkett, has said that some of the sentences handed out to convicted criminals have led the public to believe judges have 'lost their marbles.'

Mr Blunkett is reviewing the justice system and looking at changes to involve the public in the justice system. A proposal being looked at is for local police authorities to be directly elected.

Mr Blunkett is meeting with Lord Woolf who has expressed alarm at the potential long term effects of some new laws being proposed. However, Mr Blunkett said he could have a disagreement within a good relationship and was meeting Lord Woolf to discuss.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2980232.stm