Straw moves to block corporate killing laws

Jack Straw is attempting to block plans to introduce a new corporate manslaughter law. The Foreign Secretary set out his objections in a leaked letter to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The Government has promised to publish a draft corporate manslaughter Bill before the Queen's Speech next month, which would make it easier to prosecute company directors deemed responsible for deaths at work.

But Mr Straw, in the letter dated 11 October, says: "This is one of those issues that when at first considered appears unanswerable, but poses serious problems under further examination. There is a strong case for maintaining the current position."

The comments will anger campaigners, who have been pressing for changes since the Zeebrugge ferry tragedy, the Clapham Junction crash and the Paddington rail disaster. Mr Straw also puts himself at odds with Home Secretary David Blunkett who has been pushing for the reform.