MPs renew call for review of ‘unjustifiably vague’ joint enterprise law

Early day motion expresses alarm at data showing black people are disproportionately prosecuted under legislation

MPs are making a fresh attempt to change the law on joint enterprise, which allows for individuals in England and Wales to be convicted of crimes they did not physically carry out if they are deemed to have encouraged or assisted the perpetrator.

An early day motion (EDM), a way for MPs to indicate opinion, was published on Tuesday night calling on the government to request a Law Commission review of joint enterprise with a view to narrowing the scope of current legislation and providing a fairer framework for prosecution and sentencing".