This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8051953.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Straw drops secret inquest plans Straw drops secret inquest plans
(40 minutes later)
The government is dropping plans to hold secret inquests without juries, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.The government is dropping plans to hold secret inquests without juries, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.
In a Commons written statement, Mr Straw said the move did not command the necessary cross-party support, despite earlier government concessions.In a Commons written statement, Mr Straw said the move did not command the necessary cross-party support, despite earlier government concessions.
The decision has been welcomed by civil liberties campaigners.
Non-jury private inquests were included in the Coroners and Justice Bill earlier this year to cover cases involving sensitive information.Non-jury private inquests were included in the Coroners and Justice Bill earlier this year to cover cases involving sensitive information.
But Mr Straw now says the concessions had not gone far enough for critics.
The government had argued that in some cases inquests should be held in private for national security, crime prevention or diplomatic reasons.The government had argued that in some cases inquests should be held in private for national security, crime prevention or diplomatic reasons.
We welcome this sane and humble climbdown Shami Chakrabarti, Liberty
In response to criticism, Mr Straw tightened the proposed rules in March. He altered the plans so a High Court judge, rather than ministers, would have the final decision over whether the press and public would be banned from an inquest.In response to criticism, Mr Straw tightened the proposed rules in March. He altered the plans so a High Court judge, rather than ministers, would have the final decision over whether the press and public would be banned from an inquest.
In his statement on Friday, Mr Straw said: "The government felt these changes struck a fair and proportionate balance between the interests of bereaved families, the need to protect sensitive material and judicial oversight of the whole process.In his statement on Friday, Mr Straw said: "The government felt these changes struck a fair and proportionate balance between the interests of bereaved families, the need to protect sensitive material and judicial oversight of the whole process.
"However, following further discussions in the House and with interested parties, it is clear the provisions still do not command the necessary cross-party support and in the circumstances the government will table amendments to remove clauses 11 and 12 from the bill.""However, following further discussions in the House and with interested parties, it is clear the provisions still do not command the necessary cross-party support and in the circumstances the government will table amendments to remove clauses 11 and 12 from the bill."
He added that where it was not possible to proceed with an inquest under existing arrangements, the government would consider establishing an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 instead.He added that where it was not possible to proceed with an inquest under existing arrangements, the government would consider establishing an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 instead.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties campaign group Liberty, said: "We welcome this sane and humble climb-down.
"It was completely bizarre for a government that has spent over a decade lecturing the public about victims' rights to attempt to exclude bereaved families from open justice."