The Liberal Democrats have outlined a series of proposals aimed at protecting civil liberties in Britain.

The party's five-point plan for rights and civil liberties, includes plans to introduce a written constitution and Bill of Rights; a Privacy Impact Assessment of all Bills; and the abolishment of the Royal Prerogative.

Commenting on the new proposals, Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, said: "Today I am setting out a programme of measures designed to protect the civil liberties of British people, because this Labour government is proving that it can't be trusted with them."

Mr Kennedy criticised government proposals to place terror suspects under house arrests and plans to introduce Identity Cards. He said: "These authoritarian measures demonstrate that the balance this government is seeking to achieve has tipped too far. Under Labour, the process of government has become more presidential, less transparent and less accountable to parliament and to the people. That has resulted in Labour rushing bad law through parliament. Making sure ministers, civil servants and the laws they produce are subject to robust democratic checks and balances is key to ensuring Britain's civil liberties."

Conservative leader, Michael Howard, has also criticised the government's controversial 'house arrest' proposals. He said in a speech last week: "I do not believe that anyone should be deprived of their liberty on the say so of a politician. The government believes in house arrest: I do not. If people are dangerous terrorists, they should be in prison, not at home."

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, warned of the difficulties in balancing the need to protect the public from terrorism and defending civil liberties. He told the House of Commons: "I am happy to hold discussions to see if we can find a common way forward."

(KMcA/SP)