Burglary Bill 'killed off' by Tory no-show

Michael Howard was facing embarrassment today after a noshow by his own MPs effectively killed off a Tory bill to clamp down on burglars.

The Householder Protection Bill aimed to give stronger legal protection to homeowners who retaliate against intruders.

The Private Member's Bill, tabled by Tory homeland security spokesman Patrick Mercer, was backed by nearly every party MP at its second reading last month. But today, although Mr Mercer turned up for the Bill's committee stage, his Conservative colleagues failed to join him on time and the sitting had to be suspended.

Tory frontbenchers Andrew Mitchell, Chris Grayling and Hugo Swire were all late. Mr Mitchell and Mr Swire are on the shadow home affairs team. The Bill had Mr Howard's backing because it would implement party policy to upgrade protection for homeowners.

Current law states that only " reasonable force" may be used against burglars. The Conservatives want that changed to allow any degree of violence that is short of "grossly disproportionate".

The legislation was passed by a huge 130 votes to four at its second reading, one of the biggest ever majorities for a Private Member's Bill, after a three-line whip was imposed by Mr Howard last month.

There was better news for Mr Howard with a new opinion poll showing Labour's lead over the Tories narrowed sharply in the past month. The NOP poll for The Independent put the Tories on 34 per cent of the vote, up four points. Labour retained its lead but at 39 per cent it was three points down.