Call to set out Bill of Rights plan

The Government was urged to set out its plans for a UK Bill of Rights or risk undermining confidence in its intent to do so. Skip related content

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Call to set out Bill of Rights plan

An influential group of politicians said it "should not be beyond the wit of a well-resourced Government" to set out its proposals for discussion following a series of delays.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw will appear before the Joint Committee on Human Rights to discuss what would be a major constitutional change for the UK - something which was first mooted 18 months ago.

Last August the committee published a substantial report on the issue of a Bill of Rights, and reflecting on the Government's response it called for a Green Paper to be published "without further delay".

"Further postponement will severely undermine confidence in the seriousness of the Government's intent or the clarity of its thinking," the committee said.

"Although the issues are complex, it should not be beyond the wit of a well-resourced Government to produce an intelligent discussion paper if it knows its own mind."

The group, comprising MPs and peers, wants an independent committee set up to consult the public on a Bill of Rights.

It also wants a Bill introduced in this parliamentary session to bring about a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as envisaged in the Good Friday agreement.