NO 10 WARNS AGAINST ‘KNEE-JERK’ PAEDOPHILE LAWS

Downing Street has warned against knee-jerk legislation to curb paedophiles following the massive public outcry over the murder of 8 year old Sarah Payne.  The Prime Minister's office welcomed the intervention at the weekend of Tory leader William Hague who called for a series of new measure, including automatic life sentences for certain repeat offenders.  A spokesman said that Mr. Hague's suggestions were along similar lines to proposals already being considered by the Home Office but with at least two review currently under way into various aspects of the existing law, officials have acknowledged that new legislation may be unlikely before the next general election.

(United Kingdom)