Met chief accused of supporting Labour

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair is today accused of supporting Labour by openly backing one of the party's key policies.

Britain's most senior police chief was facing difficult questions after speaking out in favour of identity cards.

His intervention, in the middle of the general election campaign, angered the Tories and Liberal Democrats and triggered criticism from civil liberty groups which say the police chief must stay out of politics until after the election.

Sir Ian's comments came as it emerged that Tony Blair is being driven around during the campaign in police vehicles bearing the slogans "Vote Labour" and "Britain Forward Not Back". Two vehicles owned by the Met have been resprayed with the logos. Today critics claimed the police service was becoming increasingly politicised and demanded the slogans be removed.

Sir Ian spoke out on identity cards in a BBC television interview yesterday. He said " further considerat ion" should be given to their introduction. He claimed they could be "very helpful" in the fight against terrorism.

His comments followed the conviction of failed Algerian asylum seeker Kamel Bourgass for conspiracy and for the murder of Detective Constable Stephen Oake.

The case triggered a political storm last week - with the Tories claiming it demonstratedthe government's loss of control over the asylum system. Labour claimed it showed the need for ID cards.

Labour is the only party committed to introducing the cards - with the Tories undec ided and the Liberal Democrats staunchly opposed.

The party immediately sought to capitalise on the Met chief 's comments, challenging the Tories to make their position on the scheme clear.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil rights group Liberty-said: "Liberty remains clear that the case for compulsory ID cards has not been made. More importantly, however, it is time for Blair the police commissioner to create some distance from his political namesake. Law enforcement and other vital services must remain politically neutral - especially during an election campaign."