ID card retreat to placate rebel MPs

Controversial plans for ID cards and anti-terror measures are being scaled back by the Government in a bid to head off a rebellion by Labour MPs.

Moves to introduce non-jury trials for terror cases have been ditched amid worries that Left-wingers would exploit Tony Blair's muchreduced majority in the wake of the general election.

With the Queen's speech formally beginning Labour's third term tomorrow, Downing Street is determined to fast-track the bill for ID cards to capitalise on Tory disarray.

But Cabinet ministers have made clear that every effort is being made not to antagonise Labour backbenchers and the bill may include new safeguards for civil liberties.

In moves that will please Labour rebels, Home Secretary-Charles Clarke is considering strengthening the power of an ID card commissioner to oversee the scheme. He may also bring in measures to ensure the national identity register cannot be widely accessed.

The Government's majority fell from more than 160 to 67 on 5 May, leaving it much more vulnerable to backbench rebellions by the 30-strong group of Left-wingers.

Serial rebel MP Alan Simpson today made clear the threat when he predicted there would be a challenge to Mr Blair "from the Left" of the party. Mr Simpson refused to rule himself out of a leadership challenge. "One way or another there will have to be a challenger from the Left," he said. Ministers are now set on a twin-track strategy of trying not to upset Labour MPs while using the 40 Bills in the Queen's Speech to make the most of Tory infighting over their own leadership.

A new criminal offence of incitement to religious hatred is likely to be pushed through the House of Lords with the use of the Parliament Act. Peers have rejected the idea twice in the past four years on grounds of free speech, but Labour MPs have pushed hard for the measure in the face of strong lobbying by Muslim groups.

The concessions over nonjury trials will be trumpeted by Labour whips as proof that the party leadership is listening to backbenchers. Although Mr Clarke and Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett backed the idea of fundamental reforms to court processes in terror cases, they have been blocked by Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer. Mr Blunkett had suggested that non-jury courts and a lower burden of proof would secure convictions against suspected terrorists.

Mr Clarke was willing to look at Northern Ireland-style courts, with security vetted judges overseeing cases. But Lord Falconer has ruled out the ideas. Both the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith and Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald opposed the idea of changing the burden of proof.

The Queen's Speech will be packed with legislation that Mr Blair wants to get in place within 18 months to ensure his third term gets off to a flying start.