Written constitution needed to protect British rights and liberties - Hughes

5.50.27pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 21st May 2007

Commenting on reports that the Attorney General has called for a written constitution, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary, Simon Hughes MP said:

"There is now an ever-growing number of ministers agreeing that the rights and liberties of the British people should be written down and given special protection.

"As we have seen governments elected with much smaller public support than in the past, it is now more important that we don't allow the tyranny of one parliament to tear up the rights of generations.

"The Liberal Democrats have argued for a written constitution for many years. The European Convention of Human Rights must be the correct starting point for any specially protected constitution.

"If the new Prime Minister is ready to have serious discussions about this major constitutional change, the Liberal Democrats will be ready and enthusiastic to participate."

ENDS