Corrections Minister Anne Tolley denies she is making last-minute changes to a bill before Parliament in order to thwart the efforts of career criminal Arthur Taylor.
Taylor is fighting against the prison smoking ban which the High Court has ruled is unlawful and invalid.
The Government has introduced legislation which could enshrine the ban in law before the end of this week.
Taylor says he is appalled by the move.
However Ms Tolley says the changes would stop future action and do not affect his case.
