Party leaders snipe over peace process

Before the dust from the Wilmslow bombings had settled, sniping broke out between the major parties as both Labour and the Tories apparently broke a cross-party agreement not to make political capital out of terrorist acts.

Tony Blair was reported to be "livid" over accusations by Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, that Labour could not be trusted to be tough on terrorism. However, it emerged later that the deputy Labour leader, John Prescott, had attacked the Tories over the peace process earlier in the day.

During a campaign visit to Luton airport yesterday, Mr Prescott was stopped at the terminal by a Labour supporter, originally from Northern Ireland, who asked what a Labour government's policy towards the province would be. Mr Prescott told him: "We are going to sit down and talk. In that sense there is no difference between us and the Tories."

But he added: "The peace process broke down when Major decided in order to stay in power he had to do all sorts of deals over Northern Ireland."

Mr Howard put out a statement saying that Mr Blair had never once voted for the renewal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. "His vote - and the votes of his party - show that you cannot trust Labour to be tough on terrorism," it said.

Aides of Mr Blair responded by releasing details of an agreement struck between the two parties last week on how to act in the event of a terrorist attack during the election campaign. The agreement, which was similar to others followed over a number of years, said that no spokesman should overreact to any incident, and that any outrage expressed should be directed towards the terrorists.

Mr Blair gave vent to his anger in a letter to the Prime Minister accusing Mr Howard of "an extraordinary act of attempted opportunism: As you know we have given you and your government strong bipartisan support in your search for peace in Northern Ireland.

"It seems to me that making political capital out of a terrorist attack is an extremely irresponsible way for a Home Secretary to act. I doubt that those who have suffered from today's and previous IRA attacks will understand this extraordinary act of attempted opportunism."

The Tory party chairman, Brian Mawhinney, hit back, writing to Mr Blair to protest at Mr Prescott's comments. He referred to Mr Prescott's suggestion yesterday that the peace process broke down when the Prime Minister decided to do "deals" over Northern Ireland in order to stay in power.

Dr Mawhinney said in his letter: "To make such a suggestion at any time, let alone on a day when it seems terrorist violence has once again scarred the face of mainland Britain, is breathtakingly irresponsible and shows a cavalier disregard for the sensitivities of politics in Northern Ireland.

"Since you have, on many occasions, insisted that Labour is pursuing a `bipartisan' approach to Northern Ireland issues, I am asking you immediately to disown John Prescott's remarks and make clear that they do not represent the Labour Party's view."

John Major, on an election visit to Bradford, described the bomb attack as "a two-fingered insult to democracy".

Calling on Sinn Fein leaders to condemn the bombing without "weasel words", Mr Major said: "I hope Sinn Fein IRA are not going to conduct their campaign with the ballot box in Northern Ireland and with bombs on the mainland. People would be wise to be vigilant."

Despite increased security fears the Prime Minister said the attack would not stop the election campaign. "I shall be out there meeting the people," he said.