Brussels officials have reacted with surprise and sadness after the UK government formally opted out of a six-year European Commission justice programme.

Justice minister Kenneth Clarke confirmed last week that the UK would not take part in the €803m scheme. Clarke admitted that charities and organisations promoting justice that have relied on the programme for six years will be impacted.

Twenty-four European Union countries have signed up to the programme, which aims to ensure access to justice for citizens no matter where they are on the continent. Officials at the commission are thought to be shocked at the UK’s decision and have warned that British people will suffer as a result.

An EC spokesman said: ‘It is sad to think people might have the wrong impression of this - it’s not about imposing laws on Britain, it’s about helping her people.

‘We’re making sure if a British person is arrested in the EU they have the same rights as someone arrested in Britain. That means the right to an interpreter and access to a lawyer.’

He said justice charities such as Victim Support and Fair Trials International, which received 38% of its funding last year from the EU, were among the key beneficiaries of the programme. In a statement to the House of Commons, Clarke said the UK is happy to negotiate and could still opt into the programme post-adoption if it ‘truly added value and was worthwhile’.

EU justice commissioner Viviane Reding promised the new programme would improve judicial cooperation, help train judges, fight drugs trafficking and support victims of crime.

Clarke’s statement outlined that the government supported the objectives of promoting judicial cooperation and ensuring access to justice.

He added: ‘Although there are some aspects of the proposal that could be welcomed, the government are not satisfied on the value for money of the programme as a whole.’