Fast-track law to allow anonymous witnesses

Emergency legislation to allow witnesses to give evidence anonymously will be brought forward next week, Gordon Brown said today.

The Prime Minister acted after a law lords ruling last week that effectively banned the use of anonymous evidence, threatening several key trials.

At Commons question time, he said he would bring forward legislation to enable courts to grant anonymity in certain cases such as those involving organised crime and witness intimidation.

"I hope and believe we can do this with all party support," he said.

Earlier today Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the next steps to secure the use of anonymous witnesses would be announced within days.

Mr Straw confirmed he was "looking at proposals to change the law" after a £6 million murder trial collapsed at the Old Bailey yesterday.

The law lords ruled that defendants have a right to know who is giving evidence against them so they can challenge it.