Gay to go - bill to end discrimination?

David Blunkett has announced "courageous" plans for a radical shake-up of Britain's sex laws.

Publishing the government's Sexual Offences Bill, the home secretary said ministers would repeal "antiquated and discriminatory" laws from the Victorian era, but would put increased protection for children and the vulnerable at the centre of the new legislative proposals.

"The current law on sex offences is inadequate, antiquated and discriminatory and does not reflect changes in society, social attitudes and what we now know about patterns of abuse, particularly the extent and nature of child abuse," said Blunkett.

The bill will sweep away legislation criminalising gay sex - and will scrap laws which make it illegal for consenting homosexuals to engage in group sex.

The law of gross indecency, which applied to gay men engaging in sex in a "public" place such as a hotel bedroom, will be removed.

But a new law will be introduced to prevent straight and gay couples indulging in sex acts in public lavatories and parks.

Couples whose amorous adventures spill out into public places could face up to six months in jail under the new bill.

Under the legislation couples who know, or are "wreckless", about having sex where they can be seen by non-consenting individuals will be targeted.

But simply having sex in a public place will no longer be prosecuted.

Homosexuals who engage in sex in lavatories - a practice known as "cottaging" - will not be prosecuted unless they leave the cubicle door open.

Laws which prevent heterosexual couples engaging in anal sex are also expected to be swept away.

Three new areas of perversion will carry criminal sentences: bestiality, voyeurism and necrophilia.

"This is now the first time for 50 years a government has had the courage to take on the difficult and sensitive task of reforming sex offences legislation," said the home secretary.

The legislation will also "clarify" the definition of consent in rape cases where the victim was drunk or high on drugs.

The move could enshrine a "drunk means no" policy in legislation and result in a huge rise in the number of date rape cases coming before the courts.

Critics of the new approach believe the reform could lead to a rise in malicious allegations and cause confusion among late-night revellers.

The Conservatives have signalled that they may oppose the shift, but Blunkett backed the plans set out in the bill.

"We are dealing with difficult and sensitive issues, and we aim to strike the right balance between providing greater protection for victims and ensuring fairness under the law for defendants," he said.

"The new offences in this bill clearly set out what is and what is not acceptable behaviour, together with appropriate penalties, giving the public confidence that they are adequately protected."

Other aspects of the overhaul see Britain developing the "toughest child protection laws in the world".

Measures will include a crackdown on internet paedophiles - including a new offence of internet "chatroom grooming".

But ministers conceded the new laws may be difficult to implement in practice.

"I don't underestimate the difficulties that there may be involved," said Home Office minister Hilary Benn.

A tightened sex offenders register will see 18,500 people currently convicted of sex offences forced to report to the police every year rather than every five years.

Those convicted of child sex tourism overseas will be compelled to register on their return to the UK or face five years in jail - a move that is set to herald greater international cooperation to tackle abuse.

MPs are also calling on the government to scrap the loophole which allows registered paedophiles to travel abroad for up to eight days without having to inform the destination country.

The home secretary indicated that the loophole could be closed.

"Strong measures already exist to deal with sex offenders who want to travel abroad. Under law anyone released from prison on licence is automatically prevented from travelling overseas and any registered sex offender already has to notify the police if they intend to travel abroad for eight days or more," he said.

"We have been working on further measures specifically designed to deal with sex offenders planning to travel abroad to commit sexual offences, and these will be brought in as an amendment to the bill."