'Constructive discussions' with UK over measures being explored to tackle sexual offences

Thousands of sex offenders in England and Wales could be offered the option to use drugs to suppress their sex drives, according to a report in the Guardian.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Justice says the UK has been "very engaged" with the Gibraltar Government on the work being done locally to review how sex offences are tackled. 

The Guardian reports that a pilot programme will expanded from ten to 20 prisons in November, and that the voluntary scheme could be rolled out widely by late 2028.

The newspaper says it's been told by Government sources that Andy Burnham's administration is keen to expand the voluntary use of these drugs to ease prison overcrowding.

However, it says ministers are re-evaluating whether to go ahead with plans to explore mandatory chemical castration for particularly serious offenders, such as paedophiles and rapists.

The Guardian quotes experts with "significant concerns" over a mandatory approach.

On the Rock, the Minister for Justice told GBC earlier this year that he was considering introducing chemical castration for the most serious sexual offences.

Responding to the latest news, Nigel Feetham told GBC he's had "constructive discussions" with the UK on the work being undertaken in Gibraltar to tackle sexual offences, including the additional measures being explored.