Move to stop media payouts to criminals

Ministers are to examine changes to the law to prevent a repeat of the case which saw Tony Martin selling his story for a six-figure sum.

Martin was bought up by the Daily Mirror on his release from prison for killing a 16-year-old burglar - sparking a fresh controversy over media payouts.

As MPs from all sides condemned the payment, a Home Office spokesman said: "We are considering how the law might be applied to prevent offenders making a profit by selling their stories."

Labour MP Derek Wyatt, a member of the all-party culture, media and sport committee, claimed the payment to Martin, who served two-thirds of a fiveyear sentence, was "distasteful".

Simon Hughes, Liberal-Democrat home affairs spokesman, said it was wrong that people such as Martin could "receive money for selling their story".

Former Tory shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe said: "Martin was found guilty by a court of law. It is extraordinary that he is being paid." The Martin deal with the Daily Mirror could breach the Press Complaints Commission code on payments to criminals. These are forbidden unless a newspaper can show that publication was overridingly in the public interest.

The PCC is to investigate the deal, but its findings have no legal force and it is unable to levy fines against offenders.

Piers Morgan, editor of the Daily Mirror, claims that Martin's story might help change the law and it is very much in the public interest to publish it.