The British Government will consider opting out of human rights legislation to crack down on terrorist suspects, the Home Secretary has said.
In the wake of three men going on the run after breaching control orders, John Reid said ministers may choose to suspend parts of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) so it can impose tougher control orders.
It is the first time the Government has indicated it may "derogate" from the international treaty and put suspects under conditions that breach human rights.
He said: "We will consider other options - (which) include derogation - if we have exhausted ways of overturning previous judgments on this issue."
A huge police search is under way for three terror suspects who went on the run after breaching control orders. Scotland Yard named Lamine Adam, 26, his brother Ibrahim, 20, and Cerie Bullivant, 24, after they failed to report to police.
The Adams' brother, Anthony Garcia, 25, was jailed for life last month for his part in the "fertiliser bomb" plot to attack targets in the capital and across the UK. Bullivant is due to stand trial over claims he breached his control order on 13 occasions over the past 10 months.
Mr Reid said: "It is believed that these individuals wanted to travel abroad for terrorism-related purposes. They are not considered at this time to represent a direct threat to the public in the UK."
It is believed the men may intend to travel to Iraq or other countries - such as Afghanistan - where British soldiers are based. But Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said there was no guarantee the men do not pose a danger to people in the UK. Sir Ian said: "Nobody can be perfectly satisfied that they are not a risk to the public here, but the intelligence is pointing in another direction."
News of the three absconders triggered a fierce attack on the Government's control order system, with many calling for an urgent review.
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The Government already has power under laws passed in 2005 to introduce an even tougher form of control order, but has so far held back. Six individuals are now known to have gone missing while under control orders, which can impose various restrictions on an individual's life.
