PM: No votes for prisoners
David Cameron has insisted he will not be pushed into giving prisoners the vote, despite a controversial European Court of Human Rights judgement.
The ECHR has ruled that the current blanket ban on prisoners votes is unlawful and the Attorney General has warned the UK could suffer damage to its reputation if it fails to abide by the ruling.
But
speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Mr Cameron said: "No-one should be in any doubt, prisoners are not getting the vote under this Government."
Downing Street has denied the Government is preparing to introduce a bill that will allow some prisoners to vote, but said: "We are still consdering how best to proceed."
The Attorney General suggested today the UK may have to change its policy to fulfil its international obligations.
Addressing the Justice Select Committee this morning, Dominic Grieve warned the UK could suffer damage to its "enviable" reputation if it fails to abide by a European Court ruling saying prisoners must get the vote.
He said it would be seen as "a move away from our strict adherence to human rights laws".
The Guardian claims this morning that ministers will defer a bill introducing prisoner votes until after the police commissioner elections on 17 November, ahead of the deadline at the end of November. The move is fiercely opposed by many Tory MPs, with several already warning they will oppose any such bill in the Commons.