The Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Charles Kennedy, warned that Mr David Blunkett was set to prove even more "illiberal" than his predecessor, Mr Jack Straw. The new Home Secretary had sounded "fairly moderate" in interviews yesterday, he admitted.
But he said: "He did, of course, begin when his appointment was announced by saying words to the effect that if you thought Jack Straw was illiberal you ain't seen nothing yet." He added: "I hope he will listen to the opinions of Parliament over issues like denying or withdrawing the right to trial by jury."
