Police demand the right to strike

Police officers are demanding the right to strike in the most serious escalation yet of the war between the Government and public servants.

Rank-and-file officers from across Britain are calling for the scrapping of a rule that bans them from taking industrial action. Their trade union, the Police Federation, may vote on the move at its annual conference in May, its chairman Fred Broughton said today.

His warning raised the temperature ahead of tomorrow's mass protest when 5,000 officers will descend on Westminster.

Last month Police Federation members voted 10 to one to reject a pay deal tied to reforms, which included David Blunkett's plan for civilian beat officers - dubbed "Blunkett's bobbies" by Met officers.

Mr Broughton said his members were furious at being smeared by the Home Secretary's spin doctors, who told journalists that police officers had not understood the complex pay deal.

He said: "We have a very well- educated, bright police force. They are angry that Home Office sources were alleging that they didn't understand. They took it as an insult."

Mr Broughton also objected to Tony Blair's use of the word " wreckers", aimed at union leaders who oppose reform.

He said: "We are pretty angry about the ' wreckers' stuff. If you want to know where militancy is, where anger is, then go to the police station and speak to the officer working night duty."