UK plans to end 'politically-motivated' arrest warrants

Tzipi Livni called off her visit after the warrant was issued

The UK is planning to stop attempts to secure "politically-motivated" private arrest warrants for visiting foreign officials, the prime minister has said.

Campaigners have applied to the courts to have a number of high-profile figures detained, most recently former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni.

Magistrates currently are asked to consider the applications.

The Crown Prosecution Service could now decide if warrants are issued for alleged international law violations.

A warrant for the arrest of Ms Livni was issued at Westminster Magistrates' Court in December last year after moves by pro-Palestinian campaigners angry at Israeli action in Gaza.

The move sparked complaints by the Israeli government and saw Ms Livni cancel her visit.

'National interest'

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Brown said that Britain would "continue to take action to prosecute or extradite suspected war criminals - regardless of their status or power".

He cited the case of Afghan warlord Faryadi Zardad, found guilty of torture and hostage taking in his home country who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at the Old Bailey in 2006.

But he wrote: "As we have seen, there is now significant danger of such a provision being exploited by politically-motivated organisations or individuals who set out only to grab headlines knowing their case has no realistic chance of a successful prosecution.

There is growing reason to believe that some people are not prepared to travel to this country for fear that such a private arrest warrant might be sought Gordon Brown

"There is already growing reason to believe that some people are not prepared to travel to this country for fear that such a private arrest warrant - motivated purely by political gesture - might be sought against them.

"These are sometimes people representing countries and interests with which the UK must engage if we are not only to defend our national interest but maintain and extend an influence for good across the globe."

The Conservative Friends of Israel group has been campaigning for an amendment to the law to force such cases to be considered by the attorney general before any warrant can be issued.

In the wake of the arrest warrant for Ms Livni, shadow foreign secretary William Hague asked: "How is Britain meant to play a leading role in the Middle East peace process if Israeli politicians cannot visit Britain without fear of arrest?"

He said the law was never meant to "obstruct normal diplomatic business such as the vital work of the Middle East peace process" by barring conversations with senior serving politicians.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the proposals, which would require a change in the law, would bring the UK into line with other countries.

Members of the Justice Select Committee would be asked to consider the plans, he said.