BLUNDERING Ken Clarke has admitted his plans to hold more court hearings in ... - The Sun

BLUNDERING Ken Clarke has admitted his plans to hold more court hearings in private were badly drawn up.

The Justice Secretary said the wording of the controversial proposals could have meant "putting a lot of things in secret".

Mr Clarke continued to insist the move was vital in national security cases. But he signalled a partial climbdown by stressing judges — not ministers — would decide how proceedings will be heard.

He will spell out his plans to Parliament this week. Deputy PM Nick Clegg has warned he could not back them if they "ride roughshod" over open justice.

A Lib Dem source said: "We're confident this will move in the right direction and will strike the right balance."

Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan branded the issue another "shambles". Shami Chakrabarti, of freedom campaigners Liberty, slammed the policy as "odious".