'Dismay' at anti-terror plans spin

Justice minister Harriet Harman said it was "wrong and divisive" that MPs, Cabinet ministers and members of ethnic minority communities should learn of the proposals through the media.

Organisations representing police and the Muslim community said they were not aware of any consultation before the plans, which would give British police powers to stop and question anyone in the UK, were floated in the press on Sunday.

Under the scheme, which may be brought before Parliament in the autumn, anyone who refused to give their name or explain what they were doing could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000.

The proposal exposed divisions between the deputy leadership contenders, with Peter Hain warning the measures could become "the domestic equivalent of Guantanamo Bay" while party chairwoman Hazel Blears described them as "a flexible and sensible addition to the range of police powers".

Ms Blears revealed that it was the Northern Ireland Office - Mr Hain's own department - that proposed extending the provision across the UK.

Ms Harman told the Press Association: "We must have once and for all an end to briefings and spin. Proposals must be made to Parliament. Consideration of plans to increase security and counter-terrorism are too important to be handled by way of newspaper briefing.

"We need to build consensus on the difficult issues of how we make this country safe, protect civil liberties and strengthen links with Muslim communities. There is dismay at this handling. We must turn over a new leaf to win back the trust and confidence of the British people."

Alan Gordon, vice-chairman of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers in England and Wales, said news of the proposed new powers came as a surprise to his organisation.

Azad Ali, chairman of the Muslim Safety Forum, which advises Scotland Yard and the Association of Chief Police Officers on the impact of security measures on Muslim communities, said he was not aware of any plans to extend police powers before the press reports.