Forthcoming internet legislation will enshrine the rights of internet providers to block pornography websites into law, bypassing EU rules that prevent online content being filtered.

The move, which is part of a wider crackdown on online porn, represents a threat to EU "net neutrality" laws that protect a free and open internet.

It has been added as a proposal in the Digital Economy Bill, which has passed the House of Commons and spells out the Government's plans to block explicit websites that don't employ strict age verification.

An amendment to the Bill tabled this week hands internet service providers [ISPs] such as BT the power to filter websites that could be harmful.

ISPs already filter content, requiring users to opt out if they want to access adult websites. But if the Bill passes with the amendment it will be the first legislation in the UK regarding internet filters, ratifying blocks ISPs have already put in place for “child protection or other purposes”.

“It’s certainly the first time that the UK has said ISPs can filter but the reality is that ISPs have been doing this for some time,” said Neil Brown, an internet and telecoms lawyer at decode:Legal. “The intention is to ensure ISPs can continue their filtering.”