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Home Office split 'within months' Home Office split 'within months'
(20 minutes later)
The "time might well have come" to split the Home Office into two separate departments, Lord Falconer has said.The "time might well have come" to split the Home Office into two separate departments, Lord Falconer has said.
Home Secretary John Reid has suggested a split to create one justice ministry and one focusing on public protection.Home Secretary John Reid has suggested a split to create one justice ministry and one focusing on public protection.
Lord Falconer said the plan had been considered before and "wouldn't take long to do", with government sources saying it could happen "within months".Lord Falconer said the plan had been considered before and "wouldn't take long to do", with government sources saying it could happen "within months".
The constitutional affairs secretary's department would take charge of courts, probation, sentencing and prison.The constitutional affairs secretary's department would take charge of courts, probation, sentencing and prison.
The plans sketched out by Mr Reid are set be to put to the Cabinet for discussion at some time in the next few weeks.The plans sketched out by Mr Reid are set be to put to the Cabinet for discussion at some time in the next few weeks.
Mr Reid famously said it was not fit for purpose when he gave evidence to MPs on the state of Home Office shortly after taking the job in May last year.Mr Reid famously said it was not fit for purpose when he gave evidence to MPs on the state of Home Office shortly after taking the job in May last year.
Since then he has been reviewing the way it works and its structure as he seeks to end the long sequence of problems the department has faced on issues ranging from immigration to crimes abroad not being recorded on the national crime database.Since then he has been reviewing the way it works and its structure as he seeks to end the long sequence of problems the department has faced on issues ranging from immigration to crimes abroad not being recorded on the national crime database.
ReviewReview
Under Mr Reid's recommendations, the security department would be responsible for anti-terrorism policy, immigration and the security services.Under Mr Reid's recommendations, the security department would be responsible for anti-terrorism policy, immigration and the security services.
The ministry of justice would have control of probation, prisons and stopping reoffending.The ministry of justice would have control of probation, prisons and stopping reoffending.
Breaking up the department may well create a whole new set of problems David DavisShadow home secretaryBreaking up the department may well create a whole new set of problems David DavisShadow home secretary
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Reid said there would be "no sacred cows when it comes to protecting security and administering justice".Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Reid said there would be "no sacred cows when it comes to protecting security and administering justice".
"Whilst in the short term my focus will be on putting right that which needs the most urgent attention - including the way we deal with the transfer of criminal records information and prison pressures - in the long term even more radical change may be unavoidable," he said."Whilst in the short term my focus will be on putting right that which needs the most urgent attention - including the way we deal with the transfer of criminal records information and prison pressures - in the long term even more radical change may be unavoidable," he said.
BBC correspondent James Hardy said Mr Reid had discussed the plans with senior government figures, but said the future of the Home Office depended on who became the next prime minister. Mr Reid has discussed the plans with senior government figures - although it is not known whether that includes Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is seen as the man most likely to replace Tony Blair as prime minister when he steps down this year.
"If it is Gordon Brown he is known to be taking an interest in security policy, what we don't know yet is whether this will be a runner with him."
'New problems''New problems'
Shadow home secretary David Davis said there was an argument for an extra Cabinet minister within the Home Office with specific responsibility for homeland security, but said a split could create "a whole new set of problems".Shadow home secretary David Davis said there was an argument for an extra Cabinet minister within the Home Office with specific responsibility for homeland security, but said a split could create "a whole new set of problems".
He added: "We must remember that while the last three years at the Home Office have been its worst three years in its two centuries of existence, previous home secretaries have managed to run the Home Office even when it had more responsibilities, including electoral law and the BBC."He added: "We must remember that while the last three years at the Home Office have been its worst three years in its two centuries of existence, previous home secretaries have managed to run the Home Office even when it had more responsibilities, including electoral law and the BBC."
Lord Falconer called the plan to have two cabinet ministers within the one Home Office "nonsense".Lord Falconer called the plan to have two cabinet ministers within the one Home Office "nonsense".
Liberal Democrat spokesman Nick Clegg said his party had long argued that the Home Office should be split up. Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell told Sunday AM: "We need a Ministry of Justice. There's no doubt whatsoever that by doing that we would allow the remainder of the Home Office, under whatever name it has, to concentrate on these issues of security. "It has long been the case that the Home Office is not fit for purpose. Thank heavens there's an open recognition."
However, it would be like "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" unless it was accompanied by a whole new approach to home affairs, he said.
"The wholesale degeneration of our criminal justice system is largely due to a political culture of frenzied law making, short-term target setting and a day-to-day pursuit of headlines."
Predecessor sackedPredecessor sacked
The recommendations are the result of a review Mr Reid set in motion last May when he moved into the Home Office.The recommendations are the result of a review Mr Reid set in motion last May when he moved into the Home Office.
He took over as home secretary after Charles Clarke was sacked in a row over foreign criminals released from prison without being considered for deportation.He took over as home secretary after Charles Clarke was sacked in a row over foreign criminals released from prison without being considered for deportation.
But since then Mr Reid's department has continued hitting the headlines.But since then Mr Reid's department has continued hitting the headlines.
Earlier this month it emerged that more than 27,000 case files on Britons who had committed crimes abroad, including rape and murder, had not been entered on the police computer.Earlier this month it emerged that more than 27,000 case files on Britons who had committed crimes abroad, including rape and murder, had not been entered on the police computer.
It also emerged that a third terror suspect on a control order had absconded.It also emerged that a third terror suspect on a control order had absconded.
And before that there was a row when it emerged the head of the Prison Service did not know how many inmates were on the run from open jails in England.And before that there was a row when it emerged the head of the Prison Service did not know how many inmates were on the run from open jails in England.