Fury over prisoners’ compensation

Paul Nuttall, UKIP’s Deputy Leader

Reports that tens of thousands of prisoners could be in line for £5,000 compensation payouts for being denied their 'human right' to vote have been greeted with fury by MEP Paul Nuttall.

"It would be an outrage for any prisoner to receive even a penny compensation," he said.

"Those put behind bars by the courts have broken their contract with society and forfeited their right to vote. The government has so far resisted implementing the European Court of Human Rights ruling in favour of prisoners - and they should continue to ignore it," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

"It is plainly wrong that law breakers can choose the law makers," added Mr Nuttall, Euro-MP for the North West.

A Parliamentary committee has heard that lawyers are "trawling" for claims for current and former prisoners on the back of the 2005 ECHR ruling which could land long serving prisoners as much as £5,000 each, with £1,000 for every election missed.

"I suspect that many of these prisoners wouldn't have even bothered to vote if they had been free, which makes it all the more outrageous," added Mr Nuttall.