Straw gives hope to researchers at risk

Researchers working in the genetic modification and the nuclear industry should be protected from attacks by new legislation, as well as those who use animals in their experiments, according to MPs.

Home secretary Jack Straw this week indicated that the law would be changed to protect researchers against animal rights extremists.

However, Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, criticised the government's delay. He said that the home secretary had stated more than a year ago that he was looking into changing legislation.

Mr Straw said that the government was "urgently consulting" on making it illegal to protest outside private homes and making it easier for the police to prosecute under the malicious communications act.

The changes would be implemented as amendments to the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, debated in Parliament this week.

Mark Matfield, executive director of the Research Defence Society, which represents researchers who use animals in medical research and testing, said the measures did not go far enough.

"The government has to do something more focused on the basic problem - that it's being organised," he said.

Mr Matfield added that the government had not given any substantive response to the RDS's suggestion that it should be made an offence to organise or incite campaigns of harassment or intimidation.

Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat spokesman on science, said the government's position was further undermined by the Labour party pension fund selling its shares in Huntingdon Life Sciences citing "ethical reasons".