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 7 Version 8
Prisoner vote bill to be outlined Prisoner vote bill to be outlined
(35 minutes later)
  
The government's draft bill on prisoner voting is to be outlined by the justice secretary on Thursday, the BBC understands.The government's draft bill on prisoner voting is to be outlined by the justice secretary on Thursday, the BBC understands.
Its options could include votes for those serving less than six months, or those serving less than four years.Its options could include votes for those serving less than six months, or those serving less than four years.
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.
Sources had told the BBC there would be a vote on Thursday, but a source close to the justice secretary denied this.Sources had told the BBC there would be a vote on Thursday, but a source close to the justice secretary denied this.
The source would not elaborate further on whether MPs will be given a free vote at a later date.The source would not elaborate further on whether MPs will be given a free vote at a later date.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said there would be a discussion looking at various options, with the aim of convincing judges in Strasbourg that the government was at least looking at the issues. The court has the power to fine the UK if it feels it is in breach of its rulings.BBC political correspondent Chris Mason said there would be a discussion looking at various options, with the aim of convincing judges in Strasbourg that the government was at least looking at the issues. The court has the power to fine the UK if it feels it is in breach of its rulings.
Our correspondent said it was likely MPs would uphold the ban on prisoner voting, where there is strong cross-party agreement on the issue.Our correspondent said it was likely MPs would uphold the ban on prisoner voting, where there is strong cross-party agreement on the issue.
'Clear' right'Clear' right
Conservative MP, Sir Edward Garnier, a former solicitor general, said the justice secretary was in a difficult position.Conservative MP, Sir Edward Garnier, a former solicitor general, said the justice secretary was in a difficult position.
"The government is stuck between its treaty and rule of law obligations to respect the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the antipathy within parliament to giving prisoners the vote," he said."The government is stuck between its treaty and rule of law obligations to respect the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the antipathy within parliament to giving prisoners the vote," he said.
"Parliament and the wider general public simply don't want to be told what to do by the European Court of Human Rights, not least in this particular regard.""Parliament and the wider general public simply don't want to be told what to do by the European Court of Human Rights, not least in this particular regard."
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she did not expect MPs to give prisoners the vote. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said a vote on legislation would strengthen the UK's argument that it should retain its ban.
"If somebody has committed a crime that is serious enough to take away their liberty, then actually for that period they should also be deprived of the right to vote. I think that is sensible, I think that is proportionate, and so I think that has been the view of the House of Commons and I expect that will continue," she said. "You have to keep going back to the European Court on this because I think the job of the European Court is to look at what is proportionate, what is responsible," she told the BBC's Sunday Politics.
"We haven't passed laws on this before, even though we have passed motions, and I think when we do so, the European Court should look at it again."
But Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "Is it wise for the government to flout international law, face a substantial fine and millions in mounting compensation claims, ignore the advice of its attorney general, prison governors, bishops to, and inspectors of, prison, and take up Parliamentary time and taxpayers' money in order to stop sentenced prisoners from acting responsibly by voting in democratic elections?"But Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "Is it wise for the government to flout international law, face a substantial fine and millions in mounting compensation claims, ignore the advice of its attorney general, prison governors, bishops to, and inspectors of, prison, and take up Parliamentary time and taxpayers' money in order to stop sentenced prisoners from acting responsibly by voting in democratic elections?"
In February 2011, the Commons voted overwhelmingly against giving votes to prisoners. At present, the only prisoners allowed to vote in the UK are those on remand.In February 2011, the Commons voted overwhelmingly against giving votes to prisoners. At present, the only prisoners allowed to vote in the UK are those on remand.
Last month Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons: "No-one should be under any doubt - prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."Last month Prime Minister David Cameron told the Commons: "No-one should be under any doubt - prisoners are not getting the vote under this government."
Mr Grayling has said Parliament has the right in law to tell the ECHR that it does not accept its ruling, but said there would be "consequences" for the UK's position in Europe if MPs chose to defy the judgment. Mr Grayling has said Parliament has the right in law to tell the ECHR that it does not accept its ruling, but said there would be "consequences" for the UK's position in Europe if MPs chose to defy the judgement.
The ECRH ruled in 2005 it was a breach of human rights to deny prisoners a vote. The ECHR 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.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The government is considering how best to proceed following the judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Scoppola. An announcement will be made to Parliament shortly."