Plans to hold secret inquests without juries have been dropped by the government, justice secretary Jack Straw told parliament today.

Straw said in a written statement that the move to introduce non-jury inquests on national security issues did not garner enough support among the parties. Clauses 11 and 12 of the Coroners and Justice Bill will be removed, he said.

Straw said: ‘The government felt these changes struck a fair and proportionate balance between the interests of bereaved families, the need to protect sensitive material and judicial oversight of the whole process.

‘However, following further discussions in the House and with interested parties, it is clear the provisions still do not command the necessary cross-party support and in the circumstances the government will table amendments to remove clauses 11 and 12 from the bill.’

Paul Marsh, Law Society President, said: 'We are delighted that this measure is to be dropped because the Law Society firmly believes that there should be open justice in the interests of the relatives of the deceased and the public.'