Minister criticised over claims

Lord West was accused of bragging after saying there had been a "dramatic improvement" in the UK's security since the Prime Minister took over in June.

"I think we're ahead of all countries in the world on the protection front, which is great," he told The Sunday Telegraph.

He said the measures outlined on Wednesday to improve defences at airports, train stations and other public places represented part of a "step change" in approach.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "First Lord West flip-flops over 28 days, then he brags about Britain's preparedness. This is not the way to improve public confidence in national security."

Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "On 5 November, the Head of MI5 publicly set out the 'growth' in the domestic security threat, saying 'I don't think that this problem has yet reached its peak', explaining that 'we will not be able to cover every potential threat'.

"Today Lord West says we face 'a steadily declining threat', claiming that our counter-terrorism defences are 'ahead of all countries in the world on the protection front'. It is not likely to enhance public confidence when the head of the Security Service and the Security Minister give such inconsistent assessments."

The row follows Lord West's humiliation last week he was forced to "clarify" his position within an hour of telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had yet to be convinced of the need for a longer pre-charge detention period for terror suspects.

The former head of the Royal Navy was appointed to Mr Brown's Government of "all the talents" in the summer.

In the interview, he denied being "hauled in" by the Prime Minister for a ticking off, saying he attended Number 10 for a pre-arranged breakfast.