Perverted internet porn to be banned

Such images are already banned in traditional printed form under the Obscene Publications Act 1959.

The justice minister, Cathy Jamieson, has pledged to introduce separate legislation in Scotland if a consultation establishes the need for a law change, rather than allowing Westminster to do so for all of the UK.

A new Scottish Executive-Home Office consultation paper is published today which will gather opinions about the proposals until 2 December.

Respondents will be asked to consider whether they think such legislation is necessary, how the law could be amended and what material should fall under the new guidelines.

Ms Jamieson added: "Violent pornography is abhorrent. As we have always made clear, the Scottish Executive is committed to tackling abuse and discrimination wherever it appears in our society.

"We have already increased the penalties for possession and distribution of child pornography. And if it is found that the law can be strengthened to cut violent pornography from our society, then we will take action."

Home Office minister Paul Goggins said that, under the proposals, possession of obscene electronic images would be considered the same as possession of pornographic photographs.

"This is material which is extremely offensive to the vast majority of people, and it should have no place in our society," he said.

"The fact that it is available over the internet should in no way legitimise it. These forms of violent and abusive pornography go far beyond what we allow to be shown in films or even sold in licensed sex shops in the UK, so they should not be available online either."

The proposals were welcomed by the family of 31-year-old Jane Longhurst, who was murdered in 2003 by a male friend obsessed with violent sexual pornography.

Her mother, Liz, of Reading, Berkshire, said: "Over the last 18 months I have worked hard to change the climate of public opinion through the Jane Longhurst Campaign by raising public awareness of the issue.

"With the help of many friends, including MPs Martin Salter and David Lepper, we have lobbied the government and collected over 35,000 signatures for our petition and I am hopeful of reaching a target of 100,000 signatures by spring 2006."

A Home Office spokesman said the new legislation would not affect those who come into contact with pornographic material by accident.

MP Mr Salter said he "couldn't be more thrilled" with the news that 18 months of "hard work" was paying off.

He said he was proud of Mrs Longhurst's courage and motivation, adding that she was driven "by the desire to ensure that other parents did not experience her dreadful loss when her lovely daughter Jane was murdered by a sick, self-confessed addict of extreme internet porn".

He continued: "Now at last the loophole in the law caused by the creation of the internet will finally be closed when legislation is introduced, as I am sure it will be, to make it illegal to possess computer images which contravene the Obscene Publications Act.

"All along, we have argued that extreme pornographic internet images which feature actual murder, rape and necrophilia should be outlawed in the same way as pornography involving children."

The plans were applauded by Metropolitan Police Commander and Association of Chief Police Officers' representative Dave Johnston. He said: "The internet is being targeted by those who create sites that specialise in sexual violence and other extreme perversion.

"The investigation into such matters proves to be very difficult due to the fact that many of the sites are abroad and outside the jurisdiction of UK law enforcement agencies.

"Creation of new offences to deal with these matters would assist greatly in preventing the spread of such material."