Britain `safer under Labour

IN AN astonishing claim last night, Commons Leader Peter Hain said the United Kingdom would be safer from a terror attack under a Labour government.

Mr Hain's comments are likely to be seized on by opponents as evidence that ministers are creating a climate of fear in the run-up to the General Election.

"We have to create a safer, more secure country and it is our Labour Party that is achieving that," Mr Hain said in BBC radio interview.

"I stand by that in the sense that obviously we can't guard against a terror attack completely. We can't eliminate it, that risk of terrorist attack.

"But I believe the risk would be lower under Labour because we are bringing in the measures . . . to deal with the terrorist threat."

He added: "It is our assertion that we are providing more security and safety for this country and its citizens than alternative policies."

The Liberal Democrats had opposed anti-terror and anti-crime measures such as the introduction of ID cards, the Commons leader said.

"If they turned away from security and the Tories went along with them then we would have a less secure country, certainly."

Mr Hain's comments were branded "extraordinary" by the Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, who said he was surprised Labour was trying to "play politics" with this issue.

Liberal Democrat chairman Matthew Taylor said: "This is a disgusting claim from the Leader of the House of Commons who in his role should know better than most that all parties are united in their concern to keep Britain safe from terrorism.

"The kind of claim George Bush's campaign team made in the United States against the Democrats will not go down well in Britain."

A Downing Street spokesman tried to quell the anger. "What Peter Hain is simply saying is the measures contained in the Queen's Speech are there to make the country more secure.

"What he is not doing is attempting to create a climate of fear or make a party political point."