Clarke criticises police merger plans
Updated on 11 July 2006
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has renewed his criticism of government plans to merge police forces.
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Hell hath no fury like a former Cabinet minister scorned.
Sacked as Home Secretary two months ago, Charles Clarke has launched a strong attack on the government over the possible collapse of the police merger programme.
He criticised the decision to halt the voluntary merger between the Lancashire and Cumbria forces - and said the decison would jeapordise the government's entire police reform programme.
He also warned that it would make it more difficult for the police to deal with terrorism and organised crime.
