Tipping the balance: Review of murder laws

David Blunkett has been forced to apologise to parliament after announcing a review of the murder laws by press release.

MPs spoke out against the government in the wake of the announcement that murder could be graded into categories across a spectrum ranging from mercy killings to the most depraved.

In a statement released on Wednesday David Blunkett said the law needed to be "clear, comprehensive and fair" to "ensure public confidence" in the criminal justice system.

It follows calls from both the Law Society and the judiciary for a review of murder laws.

The home secretary had intended to announce the move during a third reading of domestic violence legislation in the Commons - although time constraints meant he was unable to address MPs on the issue.

A press release was then distributed with the announcement leading to an urgent question from Tory MP Douglas Hogg on Thursday.

Blunkett said he regretted the debate had not taken place and apologised for the release of the press statement confirming the review.

"The press release issued by my department was premature and steps have been taken to avoid such an incident happening in the future," he said.

MPs said the announcement, which amounts to the most widespread examination of the laws government murder since the Royal Commission on Capital Punishment in the 1950s, should have been made in parliament.

Tory frontbencher David Davis said Blunkett had "tried to slip" the announcement out during a debate on domestic violence.

"The importance of this review is not be be underestimated," he added.

However the government has moved to quell suggestions that ministers are turning their backs on the principle of life sentences for murder.

"The current position is that the government is committed to the mandatory life sentence. It is important in making clear the specially serious nature of murder and ensuring this is properly reflected in its treatment within the criminal justice system," said a Home Office spokesman.

"However, this does not stop the review from examining and recommending alternative ways to structure offences of homicide, or looking at issues on the construction of the offence such as the intention of the offender, possible defences and partial defences."