Labour’s David Lammy defends shoplifters who steal luxury goods
In a pamphlet published this week for the Policy Exchange think tank, Tottenham Labour MP David Lammy suggested that thieves who steal from luxury stores should be given softer sentences. In grading the type of shoplifting to be related to the wealth of the victim, this wannabe Mayor of London sends exactly the wrong message and on that basis, we make him our Wally of the Week.
Mr Lammy stated:
“The impact of a £150 theft, for example, would be far greater on an independent corner shop than on Fortnum & Mason, yet this is not reflected under the current Act”.
“It is self-evident that the impact of a £200 theft to a large retailer is much smaller that it would be to a small, independent retailer”.
“Many rightly argue that the seriousness of shoplifting should not be based on the value, but on the impact to the victim”.
David Lammy might think that his policy suggestion will win him votes and turn him into some kind of Robin Hood-like hero. Luxury retailers will certainly vote to the contrary and frankly this foolish man would do well to retract this ridiculous idea.
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