Anger of TV audience at immigration claims

Britain is likely to see new race riots if immigration is not controlled more tightly, Michael Howard said.

The Tory leader made the comments in a televised debate, and was accused by members of the audience of inciting racial hatred.

The Conservatives have put stricter controls on immigration at the heart of their election campaign, but many of Mr Howard's remarks provoked angry responses from the studio audience.

Jonathan Dimbleby, presenting ITV's Ask The Leaders programme last night, asked Mr Howard if he feared a repeat of the race riots seen in some northern cities.

He said: "Are you fearful that if there are more newcomers than is desirable there will be more Burnleys, more Oldhams?"

Mr Howard replied: "Yes. I think people have to have confidence in the system. They have to understand there is a proper system of controls and that gives people reassurance.

"And I think that when people believe that there is no proper system, that immigration is out of control, I think that these anxieties make it more difficult to have good communityrelations." Dean Velani, an 18-year-old Asian gap-year student, attacked Mr Howard on his immigration policies, calling them "shambolic opportunism".

He told the Tory leader: "You don't realise what it's like for me, as a first generation [immigrant]. You are inciting xenophobia and hatred in our country."

Mr Howard replied: "I profoundly disagree and what I say frankly to people who hold the view you hold is if you disagree with these proposals then tell us what you would do to deal with the problem.

"It doesn't take the debate much further to pin labels on me and abuse and insult me in the way in which you have just done."

Gilbert Barthley said that ever since he had come to Britain in 1954 he had heard campaigns based on immigration. "When you talk in the street and you make these remarks you hear bits and pieces that 'they are coming here for this, they are coming here for that'." Mr Howard said he thought of Mr Barthley as "a most valuable member of our national community", and claimed many people from ethnic minorities backed his calls for controlled immigration.

Anthony Dunn accused Mr Howard of suggesting immigrants were "bringing dirty diseases" into Britain. That was rejected by Mr Howard who said: " Controlled immigration is the key to ensuring Britain's security, managing demand on public services and guaranteeing good community relations."

The recording of the programme was delayed by 40 minutes after a security alert. Special Branch officers removed a member of the audience who had apparently entered the studio uninvited.