Downing Street Says » Prisoner Voting

» Friday, December 17, 2010

Prisoner Voting

Asked what the entitlements would be, the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told the assembled press that there would be an announcement shortly. The PMS advised people to check on Mark Harper’s previous statement in the Commons and the background to the announcement. We were responding to a series of judgements and complying with them, as we did not want to get into a situation where we had to compensate prisoners.

On whether the Prime Minister was doing this with a heavy heart, the PMS replied that the Prime Minister had set out his views on this in the House; it was not something he would do given a free choice. Put that this was the definitive Government position, the PMS replied that it was.

Asked about human rights legislation, the PMS said that the position was as set out in the Coalition Agreement. We would establish a commission to investigate the creation of a British Bill of Rights.

On why this was being delayed until 2012, the PMS said that it was not being delayed. The Government was making a lot of reforms at the present time, including constitutional and political reforms. We were focussed on the immediate priorities such a tackling the deficit, setting out spending plans for all Government departments and reforming key public services.

Asked if prisoner voting rights would include voting for police chiefs and mayors, the PMS advised people to wait for the announcement.

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