[JURIST] British Prime Minister Tony Blair's latest plans to fight terror have drawn cross-party criticism and have led one senior MP from Blair's own Labour Party to level accusations that the government response to terror threats is panicked. Blair's recent initiatives include plans to deport advocates of terrorism and ban two radical groups [JURIST report] and a controversial proposed review of the 1998 Human Rights Act [text] if the courts rule it blocks certain new measures from being enacted. Treason charges for those praising the bombings [JURIST report] have also been mooted. John Denham [official website], Labour chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said Monday:

What is more worrying is the sense of slight panic that seems to be emanating from the government over the last few days. After the bombings, there was a very sensible and measured approach recognising things needed to be done and discussed. The flurry of announcements over the last few days, many of which haven't been developed fully, gives the sense that the government is not fully in control of events and that's unfortunate.

Denham noted that treason charges were never threatened for IRA members. The Financial Times has more.