Government on new collision course with European judges over prisoner voting

Parliament was on a collision course with European judges over prisoner voting again today after Justice Secretary Chris Grayling insisted it had the power to maintain a ban.

Mr Grayling said a joint committee of both Houses would consider proposals for allowing convicts sentenced to less than four years or less than six months to participate in elections.

But the draft legislation will also feature a proposal for retaining the blanket ban - which would contradict rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Mr Grayling said Parliament could defy the judgment, but had to "confront" the political consequences of such a move.

PA