Clarke inquiry into prison's test-tube father

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke ordered an inquiry today into why a prisoner is being allowed to father a child from behind bars.

Mr Clarke insisted he had not approved the inmate's request for artificial insemination with his partner, granted this year.

Reports suggested the decision was based on the prisoner's "right to family life" under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act - something Mr Clarke disputed. "I have never personally authorised a request of this kind nor heard of the case until this morning," he said. "I am asking for the circumstances to be investigated."

The case emerged in a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Mail. A prisoner was allowed fertility treatment but his name, criminal history and sentence were kept secret.

Sixteen similar requests have been rejected since 2007 and five more are under consideration.

MPs said the practice should be stopped. Witham MP Priti Patel said: "Yet again this is human rights nonsense, giving these nasty, vile criminals the right to have a family, which is extraordinary."