Smith denies breaking poll rules

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A Home Office spokeswoman insisted the announcement, revealing that 300 new police officers and staff will be placed on anti-terror duties, had been given "careful consideration", including discussion with the Cabinet Office.

However, it is understood the Cabinet Office had not completed its assessment of whether Ms Smith could go ahead during the period of silence - or "purdah" - in the weeks before a vote.

Tories lodged an official complaint, saying Ms Smith had broken purdah rules just two weeks from polling day.

The system is designed to prevent the party which is in power having an unfair advantage during an election campaign.

Some Whitehall officials privately expressed surprise at Ms Smith's decision to make the high-profile announcement on morning TV and radio shows, followed by a speech to police officers.

Shadow communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles, who reported Ms Smith to the Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell said: "This was quite clearly a carefully choreographed piece of political spin to cover-up the fact that Labour have cut the number of police on the streets.

"We are seeing once again a desperate attempt by Gordon Brown to get back on the front foot in a week when the news agenda has been dominated by rumours of splits and divisions in the Government."

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The Home Office attaches great importance to adherence to the rules governing elections, and gave this issue careful consideration, including discussing it with the Cabinet Office.

"The Home Secretary's speech is about the prevention of terrorism, an issue of fundamental national importance and on which the Government has a duty to act. It is on this basis that the Home Secretary made her speech."