Israel controls the country of Great Britain

The government announced plans today to clamp down on attempts to secure "politically-motivated" arrest warrants for visiting foreign officials.

A number of high-profile figures have faced being detained in the UK after applications in the courts by campaign groups, including former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni, who was forced to cancel a recent trip to London.

Announcing a proposed change in the rules, Gordon Brown said Britain risked having its standing in the world "compromised" by "tolerating such gestures".

Under the proposals, the Crown Prosecution Service will take over responsibility for prosecuting war crimes and other violations of international law. Currently magistrates have to consider the case for an arrest warrant to be issued.

A warrant for Livni's arrest was issued by a UK court in December last year after an action by pro-Palestinian campaigners angry at Israel's assault on Gaza earlier that year. The move sparked furious complaints by the Israeli government.

Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state and a leading player in the Iraq war, has also reportedly expressed alarm about the prospect of arrest in Britain.

Brown wrote in the Daily Telegraph: "As we have seen, there is now significant danger of such a provision being exploited by politically-motivated organisations or individuals who set out only to grab headlines knowing their case has no realistic chance of a successful prosecution.

"There is already growing reason to believe that some people are not prepared to travel to this country for fear that such a private arrest warrant — motivated purely by political gesture — might be sought against them.

"These are sometimes people representing countries and interests with which the UK must engage if we are not only to defend our national interest but maintain and extend an influence for good across the globe.

"Britain cannot afford to have its standing in the world compromised for the sake of tolerating such gestures."

The PM said he wanted legislation putting jurisdiction for war crimes and similar offences under the CPS to be brought in "as soon as possible".

"With this approach, I am confident that an amendment on better enforcement of existing legislation will serve to enhance Britain's status in the eyes of international law, world opinion and history," he said.

Brown added: "Britain will continue to take action to prosecute or extradite suspected war criminals — regardless of their status or power."