Brown gets ready for 'energy wars'

Security chiefs were today ordered to prepare for the threat of "energy wars".

Gordon Brown took action in the face of warnings that Britain's gas supply could be cut off by rival powers or as a result of conflicts over energy supplies.

The threat topped the agenda at the first meeting of the National Security Forum, which met inside Downing Street for the first time.

It brings together academics, experts and veteran police and anti-terrorism officers to plan to counter dangers to the UK.

Mr Brown said it would consider "national security implications of competition for energy supply".

Increases in prices for oil and gas have created sudden wealth for producer countries at the expense of consumer states, bringing fears of political instability.