Newly unveiled government plans to prevent illegal filesharing by suspending or disconnecting broadband services represent a "disproportionate" response, it has been warned.

According to Consumer Focus, cutting off broadband users from the internet for alleged copyright infringement offenses without giving them the right to challenge the evidence also undermines rights to a fair trial.

The group's chairman Larry Whitty added further that it would be unfair to enforce such a solution while large sections of society remain unclear on exactly what they are allowed and not allowed to do.

He said: "Illegal file sharing should not be condoned but millions do it daily. The rise of this activity is a consequence of the creative industry's failure to deliver products that consumers want.

"The industry should get its own house in order rather than promote punitive measures like this."

He urged the government to reconsider taking the approach that it outlined in its Digital Britain report, tackling illegal filesharing with warning letters and court action before technical measures such as disconnections are taken.

Last week, it was revealed in a new Implementation Plan that the Digital Britain measures have been split into 18 different projects, although there is currently no timeline in place for delivering them.