Threat to jail relatives goes Too Far

12.00.00am GMT Fri 28th Dec 2007

Commenting on the Conservatives' proposal that UK residents should take "legal responsibility" for the return of relatives who visit for a short period and fail to return home, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Potentially jailing someone for another person's misbehaviour is fraught with ethical and practical difficulties.

"It simply will not work, because courts are not going to convict people who are blameless in every respect except a lack of judgement for trusting a relative who absconds.

"This is a proposal too far."