This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20381222

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Parliament to be given new vote on prisoner democracy Prisoner vote bill to be outlined
(about 1 hour later)
  
Ministers will give Parliament another vote on whether to give prisoners the vote this week, the BBC understands. The government's draft bill on prisoner voting is to be outlined by the justice secretary on Thursday, the BBC understands.
Political correspondent Carole Walker said she understood MPs would consider options, on Thursday, including votes for those serving six months or less and those serving four years or less. Its options could include votes for those serving less than six months, or those serving less than four years.
A third option on the draft bill would be no votes at all, she added.
Friday is the deadline for the UK to comply with a European ruling that a current blanket ban is unlawful.Friday is the deadline for the UK to comply with a European ruling that a current blanket ban is unlawful.
Our correspondent said the legal implications of flouting the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling would be made plain to MPs but for legal reasons ministers would not say which option they back. BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said a third option on the draft bill would be no votes at all.
A government source confirmed the new vote to the BBC. The Ministry of Justice said it would not comment on a leak. Earlier, sources told the BBC there would be a vote on Thursday, but this was denied by a source from the justice ministry.
The source would not elaborate further on whether MPs will be given a free vote at a later date.
'Clear' right'Clear' right
In February 2011 the Commons voted overwhelmingly against giving votes to prisoners and there is a risk that this week's vote could set up another clash with the ECHR.In February 2011 the Commons voted overwhelmingly against giving votes to prisoners and there is a risk that this week's vote could set up another clash with the ECHR.
Last month David Cameron told the Commons: "No-one should be under any doubt - prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."Last month David Cameron told the Commons: "No-one should be under any doubt - prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."
At present, the only prisoners allowed to vote in the UK are those on remand.At present, the only prisoners allowed to vote in the UK are those on remand.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who replaced Ken Clarke in a reshuffle in September, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show last month that Parliament had a "clear" right not to accept the ECHR ruling.Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who replaced Ken Clarke in a reshuffle in September, told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show last month that Parliament had a "clear" right not to accept the ECHR ruling.
But he warned: "The reality is that we are signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.But he warned: "The reality is that we are signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.
"If we therefore choose to disagree with a ruling from that court, we have to understand that we are taking a significant step outside that international commitment.""If we therefore choose to disagree with a ruling from that court, we have to understand that we are taking a significant step outside that international commitment."
He said he was "thinking very carefully about how we do the right thing for the UK".He said he was "thinking very carefully about how we do the right thing for the UK".
Attorney General Dominic Grieve has previously warned that defying the Strasbourg court could be seen "as a move away from our strict adherence to human rights laws".Attorney General Dominic Grieve has previously warned that defying the Strasbourg court could be seen "as a move away from our strict adherence to human rights laws".
The ECRH ruled in 2005 it was a breach of human rights to deny prisoners a vote.The ECRH ruled in 2005 it was a breach of human rights to deny prisoners a vote.
The court said it was up to individual countries to decide which inmates should be denied the right to vote from jail, but that a total ban was illegal.The court said it was up to individual countries to decide which inmates should be denied the right to vote from jail, but that a total ban was illegal.