LABOUR MP Janet Anderson bitterly attacked the Government for torpedoing her bill to compile a national computerised register of child sex perverts.

Mrs Anderson is appalled that a Tory Whip prevented her plan making further progress in the Commons yesterday despite an admission from Michael Howard that he wishes to enact similar legislation.

The Rossendale and Darwen MP's Sexual Offences Against Children (register of offenders bill) was due to receive its second reading in the Commons at the close of business yesterday.

If it had done so, Mrs Anderson intended to move it immediately into committee so it could become law before the summer.

The Bill's aim of producing a single register of all convicted paedophiles accessible to the police and all working with children, has been endorsed by the Government.

Home Secretary Michael Howard had earlier told Labour's Home Affairs Whip that he and the police were in favour of the idea.

But he said that as the Government wish to set up a computerised register as part of its wider moves against crime, he felt it wrong to legislate in advance of the Government's plan to introduce a wide-ranging criminal justice bill which would include mandatory sentences for repeat crimes of a violent or sexual nature.

Mr Howard told Mrs Anderson: "I do want you to be clear, however, that the Government's attitude to your bill does not reflect a lack of interest in this area - quite the reverse."

But Mrs Anderson said: "I am quite appalled.

"It is quite disgraceful for Tory Whip cowering in the corner to object to a Bill that the Home Secretary has admitted is necessary.

"The Government has torpedoed my Bill for pure political reasons.

"Rather than help Labour get vital legislation on the statute book quickly they are delaying it purely so they can get the credit for it.

"This disgraceful action has been taken purely for the Tory party's political advantage."

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