Starmer eyes ex-Tory minister David Gauke for sentencing review role

The former Conservative justice secretary is on a shortlist to lead a policy review that could herald radical reforms

Keir Starmer is considering appointing former Tory justice secretary David Gauke to head a review into sentencing policy in a move that could signal a radical change in approach towards short prison sentences.

Government sources confirmed on Saturday night that Gauke was a strong contender", despite being a member of the Conservative party, and that he was on a shortlist of names that also included former Labour home secretary David Blunkett.