Nick Clegg signalled today that key elements of control orders would be reformed as he pledged to "resurrect" civil liberties in Britain.

The comments came after intense wrangling within the coalition over what to do about control orders. The Liberal Democrats promised to scrap them at the General Election, but many Tories believe they are necessary to keep the public safe.

Delivering a speech on civil liberties in central London this morning, Nick insisted it was "nonsense" to suggest that decisions on anti-terror measures were being taken through a "party political prism".

The Government's first duty was "to keep the British people safe" and the threat from terrorists was "very, very real". But he added: "I don't think it's justifiable to impose virtual house arrest without having to charge or convict someone first. I think it's very clear it's one of the current flaws we are seeking to address, but at the same time you have to deal with the inescapable reality that there are a small number of people who want to cause immense damage to us who, for one reason or another, good or bad, we cannot get to court."

Lib Dem peer and former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord Macdonald has been carrying out a review of control orders, which is due to report soon.