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22/11/2012
MPs To Outline Legislation Plan On Prisoner Voting
Ministers will outline plans for legislation on the issue of prisoners being allowed to vote.
The government is responding to a European Court of Human Rights ruling that a blanket ban on prisoners serving custodial sentences voting is unlawful.
MPs voted in February to uphold the ban, and David Cameron has said his government will not extend the vote.
But ministers are said to be trying to find ways to head off a confrontation with the court.
Currently only prisoners on remand are entitled to vote.
The prime minister has said the prospect of enfranchising others makes him "physically ill", and the vast majority of MPs from all parties want to see the blanket ban maintained.
The UK has been on a collision course with Strasbourg since 2005, when the ECHR ruled that the ban was a breach of human rights, following a challenge by convicted killer John Hirst.
In February, MPs voted by 234 to 22 to keep the blanket ban, in response to a government proposal to give the vote to offenders sentenced to a custodial sentence of less than four years.
The coalition subsequently indicated it would respect Parliament's wishes by doing the minimum needed to comply with the ECHR ruling.
(H)
The government is responding to a European Court of Human Rights ruling that a blanket ban on prisoners serving custodial sentences voting is unlawful.
MPs voted in February to uphold the ban, and David Cameron has said his government will not extend the vote.
But ministers are said to be trying to find ways to head off a confrontation with the court.
Currently only prisoners on remand are entitled to vote.
The prime minister has said the prospect of enfranchising others makes him "physically ill", and the vast majority of MPs from all parties want to see the blanket ban maintained.
The UK has been on a collision course with Strasbourg since 2005, when the ECHR ruled that the ban was a breach of human rights, following a challenge by convicted killer John Hirst.
In February, MPs voted by 234 to 22 to keep the blanket ban, in response to a government proposal to give the vote to offenders sentenced to a custodial sentence of less than four years.
The coalition subsequently indicated it would respect Parliament's wishes by doing the minimum needed to comply with the ECHR ruling.
(H)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
