Lib Dems: Reid 'pushing for powers of police state'

Tuesday, 29, May 2007 12:00

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg has claimed Tony Blair and John Reid are pushing for legislation that will turn Britain into a "police state".

"Tony Blair and John Reid are clearly determined to leave office in a blaze of headlines. But their increasing determination to go out talking tough will leave a trail of half truths, rushed laws and unhelpful controversy behind," he said.

Voicing concern over leaked Home Office proposals which would allow police to challenge people about their identity and movements regardless of whether they suspect a crime has taken place, Mr Clegg said: "Pushing for the powers of a police state is probably the best guarantee for increased radicalism in exactly those communities where we need cooperation to defeat terrorism."

Mr Clegg also condemned John Reid's comments on Thursday, where the home secretary effectively blamed other parties and judges for the disappearance of three suspects on control orders.

"Breathless finger pointing at the opposition and the judiciary to explain the flawed control order regime is factually illiterate," he said.

"What we need is less finger pointing, fewer headlines and a more considered approach to the grave threat that faces us all."