Blair warned on asylum

Tony Blair today faced deepening trouble over immigration, with conflict in the EU - and a warning at home that the Government's plans for asylum seekers could lead to violence.

Former Home Secretary Kenneth Clarke said the plan to build accommodation centres in country areas was a recipe for serious trouble. He said: "I think we would have violence in the camps. You have a few people getting drunk and a bit of minor vandalism. I think all that will be made much worse by large numbers of youths wandering about who do not have very much to do."

Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes, questioned on the BBC's Today programme, stressed that the proposal was no more than a trial run.

Mr Blair was today preparing for an EU summit in Seville this week which looks set to be dominated by a major clash on asylum. He said it was " politically imperative" for the summit to deliver a big immigration crackdown.