Moves to force parents to attend residential parenting courses have been dismissed as "draconian" by the lord chancellor.

In a leaked memo Lord Irvine of Lairg is critical of the home secretary's latest measure to combat anti-social behaviour.

The letter, which is copied to the prime minister and the chancellor, describes the proposal as "an extreme example of the nanny state".

The lord chancellor warns that there "are plainly human rights implications" to David Blunkett's new policy.

"I think we need to recognise that the change is in fact quite radical," he said.

Whilst he offers support to some of the measures, Lord Irvine says ministers should consult more widely before pressing ahead with a change in the law.

The criticism comes in a letter sent to John Prescott, who chairs the cabinet committee on domestic affairs.

A spokesman for the lord chancellor told the Sunday Times that the department would not comment on leaked documents.