Lib Dems: Votes for prisoners welcome

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten has welcomed the European court ruling that barring prisoners from voting goes against their human rights.

The party has a longstanding commitment to lifting the ban on prisoners voting, with leader Charles Kennedy insisting earlier this year that a "citizen is a citizen", regardless of whether or not they are incarcerated.

And Mr Oaten has now reiterated the argument, saying this week's European court ruling was "not just about rights".

"It is about ensuring that prisoners return to their communities as responsible citizens. Telling offenders that they have no part to play in our democracy is no way to end the cycle of crime," he said.

The Lib Dems are now calling on the government to move quickly to change the law.