Suspects in the Rwandan and Yugoslavian genocides could be tried in British courts under proposals announced by Jack Straw yesterday to stop Britain becoming a “safe haven” for war criminals.

Mr Straw is to strengthen domestic law by making UK residents suspected of war crimes since 1991 - ten years earlier than allowed under the current law - liable to stand trial.

The move follows warnings from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Genocide Prevention about legal loopholes which would allow suspects to avoid trial.

The move is aimed at closing the loophole that allows Britain to be a safehaven for such criminals and comes after pressure from leading legal figures such as Lord Carlile, the Government’s terrorism watchdog, who highlighted the defect.

The reform was also backed by Lord Falconer of Thoroton, former Lord Chyancellor; and Sir Ken Macdonald, former Director of Public Prosecutions.

At present, people accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are covered by the International Criminal Court Act 2001 but the UK cannot prosecute alleged criminals whose crimes were committed before that year.

Mr Straw said that he could make the change — which is being tabled as amendments to the Coroners and Justice Bill - because the crimes were recognised in international law before the UK law came into force.

In a written statement to MPs yesterday Mr Straw said that the All-Party Group had made a “very powerful case” for the inclusion of genocide as an extra-territorial offence.

He said: “Serious crimes of this nature are best dealt with in the country where the crimes took place.

“That is where the evidence will be most easily accessible and where witnesses will be easier to contact.

“It is also the best solution because witnesses and survivors can see justice being done.

“Failing that, these crimes should be dealt with by international courts or tribunals where they exist.

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