Labour plays the fear card <BR>

The British Government was accused of creating a "climate of fear" yesterday after unveiling a Queen's Speech including measures to improve "safety and security" which will dominate Parliament before next year's general election.

The Tories and Liberal Democrats claimed Prime Minister Tony Blair and his ministers were raising concern about a terrorist attack and crime in an attempt to play the law and order card at the election expected next May. Ministers denied they were scaremongering and insisted they were responding to "the people's agenda".

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, will try to force his controversial plans for a national identity card scheme through Parliament before the election.

Today he will publish another priority measure to set up a Serious Organised Crime Agency, a "British FBI".

It will be followed by a further crackdown on antisocial behaviour, with more on-the-spot fines for minor offences, and tough new powers to test suspected criminals for drug use.

There were six "safety and security" bills in a programme that included 29 proposals for legislation and a further eight in draft form. But some, such as a shake-up of the anti-terror laws, will not be introduced until after the election.

Yesterday's package contained few surprises or major policy initiatives outside the crime and security agenda.

There was a boost for those aged 16 to 19, who will get child benefit if they are in training as well as education.

A bill to ratify the European Union constitution and allow a referendum on it will be introduced.

But it is unlikely to become law before the northern spring because Blair does not want it to clog up Parliament and wreck his plans to keep law and order in the spotlight.

A row erupted over Labour's attempt to use the Queen's Speech to bolster its credentials on crime and terrorism.

Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, accused ministers of turning the terrorist threat into a political football after they suggested Labour would make the country safer than the other parties.

Peter Hain, the Leader of the Commons, said: "I believe the risk would be lower under Labour because we are bringing in the measures ... to deal with terrorist threats. It is partly our intelligence operations over the past year or so that made sure terrorist activity inside Britain ... has not materialised in an attack."

Kennedy said any responsible Government would have boosted spending on the security services.

Liam Fox, the Tories' co-chairman, accused the Government of seeking electoral advantage by fostering an atmosphere of fear.

Blair rejected the charge of scaremongering. He admitted introduction of identity cards was a big change but added: "Frankly, with terrorism, illegal immigration and organised crime operating with so much greater sophistication, identity cards, in my judgment, are long overdue."


Security laws

* Legislation for an identity card scheme to help expose false identities used by potential terrorists and serious criminals, to combat illegal working and immigration and to protect people from fraud and theft.

* An FBI-style Serious Organised Crime Agency to tackle major drug and people-traffickers. It will liaise closely with intelligence services.

* A draft counter-terrorism bill, suggesting measures it may pursue if it wins the next election.

* The possibility of special anti-terror courts which would sit without juries, allowing information obtained from phone taps to be used as evidence in trials, and detention of people merely suspected of planning terrorism.

* New powers to tackle drug addicts will be raised - forcing them into treatment and compulsory testing for anyone arrested by the police.

* Alcohol-related crime and other anti-social behaviour will also be targeted. The drinks industry will be expected to promote "responsible drinking".

- INDEPENDENT, REUTERS