Government confused on 'Have-a-go Hereos' Law change

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 27th Sep 2007

There is to be an urgent review of the law protecting those who intervene in criminal situations in England and Wales, the government has said. Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who has been a "have-a-go hero" four times, told Labour conference he wanted to clarify "that the law is on the side of the citizen".

Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesperson Nick Clegg said "The government is completely confused on 'have-a-go heroes' in its rush, once again, to capture some tough-talking headlines. On the one hand, Jack Straw says that current legislation already allows for the use of proportionate force to defend home and family, and yet then claims that the law needs to be overhauled."