'Opportunist' Howard gives backing to fuel protesters

Tory leader Michael Howard has been labelled "opportunist" after he gave his backing today to fuel protesters "as long as they were peaceful and within the law".

Mr Howard signalled his support for demonstrators who are angry at fuel price rises, and called on the Chancellor to abandon plans to raise fuel duty in the autumn. Garages in some parts of Britain are now charging just under £4 for a gallon of petrol.

With the crisis in the Middle East and economic growth putting pressure on supplies of international oil - and thereby driving up prices, Mr Howard said now was not the time to increase tax levies on fuels.

"People are entitled to protest in a peaceful way and within the law. I can understand people might be very angry indeed if the government were to proceed with an increase in fuel duty at this time," he said.

The Tory leader said that Mr Brown had postponed a planned increase in fuel duty last year because of high pump prices and oil market volatility. However, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson said that it was not the job of the Prime Minister determine oil prices – "that was the role for the market".

The Lib Dems earlier today dismissed Mr Howard's statement as "opportunist" and the "height of irresponsibility".

ODPM spokesman Edward Davey said: "For a former Home Secretary to incite such disruption is astounding. Mr Howard’s naked opportunism just days before an election will backfire.

"People have a legitimate right to protest, but responsible politicians should not encourage action that has been shown to bring the country to a standstill in the past. Mr Howard’s judgement is in severe doubt."

Mr Davey blamed the root cause of the oil price rises on "Tony Blair and George Bush’s war in Iraq".

"The continuing chaos in Iraq, instability in the Middle East between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and attempts by Al Qaida to destabilise the Saudi regime, are all having a serious effect on oil prices," he said.

Mr Davey added: "Michael Howard would do well to remember that he and his Party were the principal cheerleaders to Tony Blair for military action in Iraq."

(gmcg)