Labour claim of safer Britain shot down
Peter Hain's controversial claim that Britain would be safer under Labour was today flatly contradicted by a former Home Office minister.
Amid fury from the Tories and Liberal Democrats, the Leader of the Commons refused to back down from his suggestion that a September 11-style attack was more likely under another government. But Labour MP John Denham, a former anti-terrorism minister, waded into the row, saying the security services and police would be as professional no matter which party is in power.
"I think it is obviously the case that to the security services, to the police and the other people professionally involved in protecting us it would make no difference to their personal and professional commitment which political party is in power," Mr Denham told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"It is fair for this Government to say that after years of declining police numbers we've got record police numbers, a lot of extra investment in the security services, in Special Branch and so on.
That is real investment that makes things possible that wouldn't have been possible a few years ago.
"But, equally, you do have to be careful not to suggest that these services are more on the one side of one party than the other, because clearly they are not," said Mr Denham, who is now the chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee.
Mr Hain triggered the controversy by stating that the risk of a terror attack "would be lower under Labour because we are bringing in the measures ... to deal with the terrorist threat".
His remarks prompted comparisons with George Bush's team, which launched devastating attacks on presidential challenger John Kerry in the US election. Mr Hain spoke out after the Queen's Speech set out a programme dominated by anti-terror and crime measures and Tony Blair faced accusations he was playing politics with terror ahead of the general election.
Mr Hain did not backtrack on his comments this morning when he told BBC Breakfast that Labour's policies would make the country safer and more prosperous. "Britain obviously is vulnerable to terrorist attack and you can't predict where it would come under any government," he said.
Meanwhile, major new powers to smash organised crime gangs were unveiled today by the Home Secretary, including offers of immunity for criminals who turn supergrass.
An FBI-style national agency will be formed with 5,000 investigators dedicated to breaking up Britain's biggest rackets, estimated to earn some £40billion a year for criminal godfathers.
It is the first national police agency in Britain and is aimed at mounting the most sustained attack yet on international gangs masterminding drug imports, people smuggling and serious fraud.
Officers will be trained by MI5 and work more closely with the security service, MI6 and the listening post GCHQ to share intelligence and eavesdrop on gangs.
They will be officially encouraged to be "audacious" in their tactics. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill will be one of the few of the 32 Bills outlined to be rushed into law before the election.
It will put plea-bargaining onto a statutory basis for the first time.
