Priti Patel rattles the handcuffs – but the Tories have lost control of law and order | Polly Toynbee

Justice in England and Wales is on its knees, with huge court delays adding to the suffering of crime victims and grieving families

Justice is grinding to a halt. The handcuff-rattling home secretary, Priti Patel, likes announcing draconian new sentences - but without adequate police, prisons and, above all, law courts to hear cases, her bombast is empty.

Justice delayed is justice denied when a four-year-old alleged victim of sexual abuse has to wait so long - purely for lack of court time - that they could be aged eight before their case reaches court. What will they remember? The defence can make a reasonable argument to the jury that after so long, such a young child's memory will be unreliable. That's not exceptional, just one case I have come across while interviewing solicitors.