BLAIR VOWS HARD LINE ON FANATICS

4.36.37pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Aug 2005

Tony Blair has outlined a raft of plans to extend powers to deport or exclude foreigners who encourage terrorism. The UK can already exclude or deport those who pose a threat to security and the premier said he wanted to clamp down on those who advocated terror. Mr Blair said he was prepared to amend human rights laws to make deportations more straightforward.

Congleton campaigner Simon Davey commented that the public mood has certainly shifted on the question of whether we should allow foreign nationals who incite violence to enter or stay in the UK. It is time for a more proactive approach. However, today's list of announcements has put the cross-party consensus under serious strain. The Prime Minister intends to ban Muslim organisations, seek powers to close down mosques, and deport people who visit particular bookshops or websites. He is running the risk of inflaming tensions and alienating Muslims at the very time we need the different communities of Britain to pull together. The Liberal Democrats will examine the detail of these measures, but the Prime Minister should not count on our support.