The Home Secretary today made his long expected statement on Government plans for probation. Liberty responded to this statement, welcoming the fact that Charles Clarke had decided against adopting a policy of retrospective punishment, which had been rumoured, and also welcoming the generally measured tone of the statement.

However Liberty also urged politicians on all side to remember that there has been too much party politics on this issue and over thirty criminal justice bills in the last decade. Given the serious nature of the subject perhaps it was time to show more focus.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said: “Tough talk and constant legislation from politicians of all persuasions is cheap. Mental health and drug counselling services, offender management and supervision, whether in prison or in the community is rather more expensive.

“We are sceptical about the value of yet another new fangled order, but we will look at the detail.”

Contact the Liberty Press Office on 0207 378 3656 or 07973 831 128