The European Court of Human Rights is too political and involved in things that are not part of its mandate, Devizes MP Claire Perry told the House of Commons.

She was taking part in last week’s debate on prisoner votes, after which the House voted by 234 votes to 22 to maintain the ban on prisoners being allowed to vote, which the European Court had said was unlawful.

In her speech, Mrs Perry referred to a hustings debate she took part in at Erlestoke Prison before the last general election.

She said the inmates said it was their right to have the vote. She continued: “I said, ‘I don’t think so. Perhaps this is something that could be part of your rehabilitation – something that is awarded within six months of release.”

“Guess what? The prisoners agreed. They thought that was right and proper.”