Will Charles Clarke take the blame?

2.15.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 27th Apr 2006

Over 1,000 foreign prisoners have been released who should have be considered for deportation. Over a third of these releases have taken place since Charles Clarke was alerted to this problem around 9 months ago. The rate of releases has actually increased since Charles Clarke was alerted to the problem.

Yet we only learn of these problems now. Why when Charles Clarke knew 9 months ago?

The BBC reports that the following ex-convicts, who should have been deported, are now on our streets:

3 murderers, 9 rapists, 5 paedophiles, 7 convicted of other sex offences, 57 convicted for violent offences, 2 guilty of manslaughter, 41 burglars, 20 drug importers, 54 convicted of assault, 27 convicted of indecent assault.

Where are they all now?

Have any re-offended?

Would Tony Blair still have refused Charles Clarke's resignation if he knew the facts that have come out since?

Charles Clarke says he's not in the 'blame game'. Presumably this means that the blame will not be shifted onto civil servants; politicians must be prepared to be held accountable when mistakes are made. Charles Clarke is at admitting that there are problems - but he's avoiding the blame.

Today, we learn that there are potentially another 1,500 foreign prisoners in our jails, whose true nationality is not known.

The Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling on Charles Clarke's resignation: www.libdems.org.uk

It is time for Labour to get tough on their Home Secretary. Then they can talk about getting tough on crime.