THE victims’ commissioner for England and Wales quit her post in anger today at the government’s legislative attacks on the rights of victims. 

Dame Vera Baird announced in a damning letter on Friday that she will leave the role on September 30, at the end of her contract. 

In a letter, sent to Justice Secretary Brandon Lewis, Dame Vera criticised the government’s “inadequate” Victims Bill and the Bill of Rights, which she argues “so severely threatens victims’ human rights that it undermines what little progress the Victims’ Bill is set to bring.”

The former Labour MP also said her office had been “sidelined” by the government and was no longer given access to ministers. 

“This downgrading of victims’ interests in the government’s priorities, along with the sidelining of the victims’ commissioner’s office and the curious recruitment process make clear to me that there is nothing to be gained for victims by my staying in post beyond the current extension,” she wrote. 

“As such, my term will end on September 30.”

The watchdog said: “Further, little has been done to effectively tackle the enormous and catastrophic backlog of cases, particularly in the Crown Court where the most serious crimes are tried. 

“This has exposed victims of these crimes to intolerable delay, anguish and uncertainty. It is no exaggeration to say that the criminal justice system is in chaos.”

During her three years in the role, Dame Baird has repeatedly condemned the dire state of rape investigations and prosecutions  and helped to secure laws protecting rape victims from distressing practises in the courts and those used by the police. 

The watchdog represents the interests of victims and witnesses of crime by advising the government, police and the justice system. 

Following the announcement, Labour paid tribute to Dame Baird’s “incredible work.” 
  
“Under the Conservatives, victims are simply an afterthought,” shadow victims minister Anna McMorrin MP said. “Despite years of promises we are still yet to see new laws to safeguard those suffering at the hands of criminals.”
 
End Violence Against Women Coalition said in a statement: “Dame Vera has been a stable and tireless advocate for victims.”

It said that the government’s decision to recruit for a new commissioner “only adds to the instability facing victims and survivors.”