The success of former Conservative treasurer Lord Ashcroft in obtaining confidential government memorandums about himself may prompt the government to repeal the Data Protection Act.

Ministers plan to seek European agreement on replacing it with stricter legislation that allows people a more limited right to access information held on them by government departments.

The documents obtained by Lord Ashcroft form part of a £50,000 claim being brought against former foreign secretary, Robin Cook, and international development secretary, Clare Short.