Blunkett gets tough on 'terror' toxins

Tougher security measures for laboratories are to be imposed by the Government to prevent terrorist groups from acquiring toxic or pathogenic material.

Home Secretary David Blunkett, who will publish sweeping anti-terrorism proposals tomorrow, wants to make it far harder for extremists to gain access to dangerous chemicals which could be turned into biological weapons.

There is concern that the present law does not go far enough in controlling access to toxins, materials such as anthrax, other bacteria or viruses which can be stored or developed in a laboratory.

In the wake of the anthrax attacks in America, more attention is being focused on bio-weapons.

There are a range of organisms which occur naturally, such as anthrax and tularemia, viruses such as smallpox, and toxins including the deadly botulinum, one of the most poisonous substances known. Given the right technology, these are capable of being processed into weapons-grade material. In an interview published in Dawn, Pakistan's main English-language daily paper, Osama bin Laden claimed he had access to both nuclear and chemical weapons and would use them as a deterrent.

He denied, however, that his organisation was in any way involved with the anthrax attacks in America. Mr Blunkett's Bill will "make provision about the control of pathogens and toxins" according to the first details published today.

The Bill follows a decision by eight countries, including the UK and America, to work together more closely to combat bio-terrorism. It is, however, likely to be the subject of a legal challenge from the civil rights organisation Liberty which has condemned Mr Blunkett's plan to hold suspects without trial, subject only to a review every six months.

Describing the plans as "a fundamental violation of the rule of law, of rights and traditional values", Liberty's director, John Wadham, said the organisation would seek to challenge that declaration at the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Opponents, including Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, were angered by Mr Blunkett's declaration yesterday that he would not be deterred by " airyfairy" civil libertarians. Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said his party would refuse to accept "serious erosion" of basic rights and freedoms.

Mr Blunkett, however, is determined to push through emergency legislation by Christmas. Although the Government looks assured of broad Tory support and a Commons majority, much will depend on the weight of opposition from Labour MPs. Today's declaration is designed to allow the Government to opt out from the European Convention on Human Rights, which bans detention without trial. Article 15 of the Convention permits governments to ignore their normal obligations "in time of war or other public emergencies".

Under the proposed new law, foreign nationals suspected of involvement in terrorism could be detained or sent to a "safe" third country.

They would be held for six months after which their case would be reviewed by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission with further reviews every six months.

In a separate move, the Government is today bringing forward new powers to control bureaux de change amid warnings that they are being used to launder vast sums of "dirty" money, including funding for terrorism.