Patten blasts extremists

Animal rights extremists pose a major threat to civil liberties, Chris Patten has warned.

The former Tory Cabinet minister said the violent tactics of some campaigners was threatening essential scientific research in Britain.

In his first speech as Chancellor of Oxford University, Mr Patten gave his backing to new measures to clamp down on the extremists.

"To use violence against research, against academic staff and all those in any way associated with what they do, is a serious blow to the basic liberties of a plural society. If we surrender over animal research, what comes next? Will other sorts of scientific inquiry be choked off because this or that group is prepared to threaten or use violence?" Mr Patten was giving the Save British Science lecture at University College London.

The Government will announce legislation in next week's Queen's Speech to protect scientists from intimidation. Ministers are considering a new offence of "economic sabotage" and new laws banning protests at private homes.