HOME OFFICE PREDICTS ANARCHY IN LEAKED MEMO




SMITH: Secret warning leaked

Monday September 1,2008
By Macer Hall, Political editor Have your say(9)

BRITAIN is facing an explosion of violent crime and illegal immigration sparked by Labour’s economic crisis, a leaked Home Office memo to Gordon Brown revealed last night.

Violent attacks are set to soar by up to a fifth in a growing climate of disorder on the streets, the Prime Minister has been warned.

Smuggling is tipped to rise significantly and unscrupulous employers are expected to turn increasingly to illegal foreign workers to cut costs.

Ministers are also being warned of potential inter-racial strife, an upsurge in racist extremism and even terrorism as community relations come under strain in difficult economic times.

Budgets for policing and border control are expected to be slashed by falling tax revenues, potentially leading to cuts in police officers and border guards.

The disturbing portrait of spiralling social anarchy is set out in a document prepared by staff in Home Secretary Jacqui Smith’s office specifically for Mr Brown’s eyes.

Last night the Tories seized on the leak as evidence that the Home Office remains in crisis, while law and order could be further undermined by Labour’s economic mismanagement.

Senior Tory Damian Green said: “This rips the veil off the complacent comments we have been getting from Home Office ministers about how their performance is improving.

“It is clear that in almost all areas of the Home Office things are going to get worse.â€