Goldsmith wants contempt law eased

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The Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC, said that in major police investigations there may need to be a system which allows journalists to give more information in a "controlled and considered" way.

At present, strict laws prevent the media from publishing most details of a criminal investigation if a trial could be on the horizon.

Lord Goldsmith said in a speech to the Reform Club in London: "I believe that we should look at providing more, but controlled, information to the public in other cases where there is a strong public interest.

"A consistent concern expressed to me is that the absence of information on cases pending, especially after high-profile arrests, can be very damaging."

For example, the "radio silence" after a high-profile arrest - such as a terror operation - can give the impression of a case collapsing or of "trumping up charges", he added.

"There is a very proper public interest in knowing what the risks are in our society," he said.

"So I believe, therefore, we should re-examine this issue.

"Having fair trials is imperative but I am in favour of examining whether we can be more open about such cases in a controlled and considered basis but still consistent with the imperative requirements of justice."

His comments followed a speech by Britain's most senior counter-terrorism officer last month in which he warned that "damaging" leaks in terror operations could put lives at risk.