Blair rejects Tory leader's call for homeland security chief

Tony Blair rejected Tory calls for a cabinet minister to co-ordinate the response to the terrorist threat yesterday and accused Iain Duncan Smith of political "opportunism".

The two men clashed at Prime Minister's Questions over the proposal to create a "homeland security" chief as the United States has done.

Mr Duncan Smith said there was "confusion" in the Government over the threat, citing a Home Office document that was hurriedly withdrawn when the wrong draft was given to the press and a National Audit Office study on the NHS's ability to cope with a terrorist attack.

The Tory leader said the "lack of grip" was particularly worrying at a time when firefighters were mounting industrial action. "We've had reports from security sources on planned attacks on the Tube which have since had to be denied," he said.

Mr Duncan Smith asked the Prime Minister: "Given the need to avoid confusion ... do you agree with the proposal of the Defence Select Committee, supported by ourselves, for a dedicated cabinet minister with responsibility for this area?"

But Mr Blair said he did not believe a dedicated cabinet minister was needed when there was a "perfectly good operation" in place with committees chaired by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary.

The Prime Minister said: "I don't believe it helps anybody in these circumstances if the Opposition, rather than trying to help this situation, aggravate it by an opportunism that is as pathetic as it is transparent."

Mr Blunkett told MPs later that the plan for a homeland security chief was "zany".