The Government has "absolutely no intention" of paying compensation to Soham murderer Ian Huntley after he was attacked in prison, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said.
Any claim by the 36-year-old, who required hospital treatment after reportedly having his throat slashed by a fellow inmate at Frankland Prison in County Durham, would be "robustly, vigorously resisted", Mr Straw told MPs.
The comments came after it emerged Huntley could be awarded up to £20,000 in compensation if he sues the Prison Service for negligence.
During Commons question time, Mr Straw said the Government would fight such a move.
"There has been a suggestion, by apparently this prisoner's lawyer, that he will seek compensation," Mr Straw said.
"I can say to this House as an absolute fact that would be robustly, vigorously resisted by this Government, and we have absolutely no intention of making such compensation payments."
He also agreed with Tory MP Andrew Mackay that a successful claim would be an example of "the compensation culture gone absolutely mad".
