ID cards: Labour promise legislation if re-elected

Alan Milburn has apologised for the killing of a policeman by the failed asylum seeker who plotted a UK terror attack.

An Algerian man who stabbed a policeman to death and planned poison attacks in Britain was jailed on Wednesday for 17 years after being told by the judge that he was part of a terrorist operation to "destabilise society".

The Conservatives said the case of Kamel Bourgass demonstrated the flaws in Labour's immigration policy.

And Labour's election chief accepted that some of the blame for the death of DC Stephen Oake rested with the government.

"What we apologise for is the death of that police officer serving his country, trying to protect his country," he said.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke also said he accepted responsibility, adding that the situation was now improving.

ID cards

Earlier, Labour said it will now make the introduction of identity cards a top priority.

Under pressure from a wave of critical media headlines on Thursday, Milburn said ministers would move swiftly to implement an ID card system if re-elected.

"The result of the ricin case trial, and the information it has revealed about terrorist activity in Britain, makes it clearer than ever that no serious party should play politics on terrorism," he said.

"The public need to be reassured that every action is being taken – by government, the police and security services - to combat terrorism.

"I have spoken this morning to the prime minister and [home secretary] Charles Clarke who have agreed that the Identity Cards Bill will be a major plank of Labour's first Queen's Speech if we win the election.

"If Labour win, the ID Card Bill will be reintroduced before the summer."

He called on the Conservatives to say whether they would back the legislation in parliament.

"There is no scope for playing politics on this. This is no time for uncertainty or hesitation," said Milburn.

"Britain needs strong leadership on terrorism. Tony Blair and the Labour Party are committed to providing that strong leadership."

No solution

Responding to Milburn's comments, Tory leader Michael Howard said his party had been warning about the asylum system for years. 

"Labour now says that ID cards are the solution but, by their own admission in a statement to parliament, ID cards would not apply to failed asylum seekers," he added.

"To pretend ID cards are the solution to failed asylum seekers is deceitful and that tells us everything you need to know about this government. 

"It will do anything and say anything to try to get re-elected. People are fed up with this kind of behaviour."

And shadow home secretary David Davis said the case highlighted the government's failings.

"This officer was killed by someone who should have been deported when his asylum application failed," Davis said.

"Unfortunately this failure was a direct consequence of the government's chaotic asylum policy and its porous borders."

But lawyers pointed out that he could not have been sent back to Algeria on the grounds that he could have faced torture or death there.