Killers' life terms 'breach their human rights

The appeal was brought by three killers - Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vinter and Peter Moore

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled the whole-life tariffs given to murderer Jeremy Bamber and two other killers breached their human rights.

The judges ruled by 16 to 1 that there had to be a possibility of release and review of the sentence.

But they said this did not mean there was "any prospect of imminent release".

Prime Minister David Cameron said he "profoundly disagrees with the court's ruling", adding he is a "strong supporter of whole-life tariffs".

On a website, Bamber, who murdered five members of his family, said the verdict was "hollow" as he was still serving a sentence for a crime he did not commit.

Bamber brought the case to the court's upper chamber, along with serial killer Peter Moore and double murderer Douglas Vinter, after losing a previous appeal.

BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said the ruling, which applies in England and Wales, was significant both legally and politically, and it would now have to be considered by the UK government.

This judgement is very important legally - and politically. Legally, the court ruled years ago that states can lock up dangerous killers forever.

The government cannot appeal against this ruling but now has six months to consider its response.