Election '97: Anti-racist measures promised by Blair

Tony Blair last night issued a warning that active racists would face a new offence of racial harassment, and a new crime of racially motivated violence under a Labour government.

Interviewed on ZEE TV, the Asian satellite and cable channel, the Labour leader indicated that any government led by him would take tough action against racial attacks.

The Labour manifesto says: "Britain is a multiracial and multicultural society. All its members must have the protection of the law." But Mr Blair was forced to defend the controversial use of a bulldog - a symbol associated with the extreme right British National Party - in one of his party's election broadcasts.

The use of Fitz the bulldog was a calculated move to demonstrate Labour patriotism - but it was seen as too nationalist by some critics. Mr Blair was told in the interview that the bulldog would strike fear into the hearts of ethnic minorities because of its link with the BNP, and he was asked whether its use was not "insensitive".

The Labour leader said: "I hope people don't look on it in that way, and I am sure they don't. The Labour Party's commitment to anti-racism is very clear and well-established. So I hope people take it in the spirit in which it is intended - to symbolise a Britain that's having tremendous difficulties under the Conservative government, with drift instead of leadership, and with the country being run for the few, not the many."

Mr Blair went on to repeat the "one nation" theme that he had played very hard at his morning press conference. "The Labour Party had to become a truly one-nation party," he said. "We are the party that represents people from all walks of life today in Britain". Since the Tories had come to power in 1979, he said, they had not built one nation. "There's greater division now than ever before." He said a massive difference could be made to the country if there was a different government.

On immigration, Mr Blair said: "There have to be firm controls, but they should be fair."

He rejected a suggestion that Asians were being obstructed in the Labour Party by disputes over membership irregularities and selection procedures.

"I am in favour of encouraging Asian people into the Labour Party. But it's always got to be done on a fair and proper basis," he said. "We stand to increase significantly the number of Asian MPs after the election."