Battle over plans for Commons security

A battle has broken out over controversial security plans for the Commons, including closing down roads around Westminster.

A series of roads could be pedestrianised - including Bridge Street, which runs past Big Ben - to foil attacks by lorry bombs.

But the proposals, in an interim report due this week, have caused uproar among some MPs who claim they are an over-reaction to the threat.

Commons Leader Peter Hain, who is in favour of stricter safeguards, was said to be at loggerheads with Speaker Michael Martin and senior Commons officials who accused him of trying to influence the security review.

The road closure plan would cause traffic chaos around the Westminster area. Another plan is for a floating barrier on the Thames to ward off a barge bomb. Calls for better security were stepped up after the flour bomb attack on Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Questions.