Tony Martin is being sued by an intruder he injured

But Home Office minister John Denham hinted the law could be reviewed to protect people, such as Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, from being sued by criminals who were injured while committing offences.

He was responding on Tuesday to concerns about Martin, who is serving five years in Suffolk's Highpoint Prison for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Fred Barras.

Barras's accomplice Brendon Fearon, shot in the leg by Martin, is suing the farmer for �15,000 compensation for loss of earnings.

I think it would make much more sense if there was a new rule brought in whereby all civil rights are extinguished at the moment the crime is committed. Henry Bellingham MP, North West Norfolk

Mr Denham said: "I cannot commit the government at all on this matter, but there does seem to be something in the ether around the issue so perhaps we should watch this space."

Tory MP Henry Bellingham, who represents North West Norfolk, said the thought that burglars or criminals could profit from their crime by suing victims caused offence.

He said: "I think it would make much more sense if there was a new rule brought in whereby all civil rights are extinguished at the moment the crime is committed."

Juries decide reasonable force

Former minister Gillian Shephard, the Conservative MP for South West Norfolk, said many people felt Martin had been jailed unfairly.

She said the case had caused a loss of confidence in the law regarding the invasion of privacy by burglars.

Mr Denham said current laws on self defence were appropriate.