Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed the Labour Government will move to introduce legislation this year forcing criminals to attend their sentencing hearings.
Healey, who appeared on GB News this morning, made the announcement following the absence of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana during his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
Speaking to the People's Channel, Healey said it was "cowardly" and "contemptible" of Rudakubana to not attend.
Healey added: "He should have been in court to look them in the eye and face the justice that he has deserved."
John Healey confirmed that the law 'will change' to ensure offenders are in court to hear their sentencing handed to them
PA / GB News
The new legislation is expected to allow courts to require attendance in extreme cases and may include measures such as extending sentences for non-compliance.
Detailing the legislation, Healey told GB News that offenders will be "forced if necessary" to attend their sentencings, and "other measures" will be considered including "extending their sentences".
However, when pressed on whether the law will be changed to reduce the age in which offenders under the age of 18 can be handed a whole life order, Healey asserted that the current legislation is "in line with international law".
Healey explained: "On the technicality of the whole life sentences, I think it's important to know that the last government did reduce it to 18, in line with international law, after the Manchester Arena bombings, and that still stands.
"It is consistent with the international law that still stands, but there are a range of other aspects of law, of agencies who have failed in this case to step in. They knew about this man's extreme violence, but they failed to take any steps that might have prevented it."
Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years in prison on ThursdayPADelivering his verdict on the Southport attack, Healey admitted that he "struggled to get his breath" as he read the impact statements of the surviving victims and their families.
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The Defence Secretary told the People's Channel: "This is a day of horror, and for all of us reading the reports from the court yesterday and the sentencing, quite honestly, I struggled to get my breath as I read about the savagery and the horror and attack.
"It was quite clear Rudakubana would have killed all 26 of those young girls in that dance class if he could."
Offering his "respect" to the judge Justice Goose for the sentence given, Healey added: "He's made clear that this man is unlikely ever to be let out, and that's something that I would like to see - I'm happy to see him in jail for the rest of his life."
Citing the national inquiry into the Southport attack and the apparent failings of several agencies in preventing Rudakubana from committing his crime, Healey hoped that "changes will be made" to those agencies in light of the inquiry's findings.
Healey told GB News that they will 'use force if necessary' to ensure offenders are in court for sentencing
GB News
Healey concluded: "There may be changes in the programs that are designed to deal with this sort of extremism, and that's what the inquiry now will do.
"Keir Starmer has said that inquiry is open and any changes that it looks to make will be considered, because it's a way not just of honouring the memory of the victims to ensure they get justice, but in their memory, we make and deliver the changes required."
Rudakubana was repeatedly removed from court during his sentencing hearing for disruptive behaviour.
The 18-year-old then refused to be present for the victim impact statements and the sentencing itself, in which he was given a minimum of 52 years in prison.
