The asylum minefield

Ministers face claims the asylum system is out of control

By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

Tony Blair insists it is neither possible or desirable to create "fortress Britain" as part of the war against terror.

And he is urging people not to make the link between terrorists in Britain and asylum seekers.

That, however, is becoming increasingly difficult.

Wyatt: government lost control

And claims that at least one former Taliban soldier is being given asylum in Britain will only add to a widespread feeling that the system is out of control.

Rightly or wrongly, Britain has long had a reputation in some countries as the terrorist capital of the world.

Its much cherished reputation for offering a haven for the world's persecuted is in danger of being turned into a reputation as a soft touch.

Lost control

There is little evidence to support such a claim, but it is a line of political attacks that has been gaining ground.

Former Tory leader William Hague was regularly attacked for allegedly whipping up anti-immigrant sentiments.

And his successor, Iain Duncan Smith is now following a similar line, claiming the government has lost control of the situation.

It is a claim that chimes easily with public opinion and which ministers privately accept has to be tackled.

A series of measures have been introduced to tackle the problem - but they have run into their own problems.

Labour's Derek Wyatt, for example, is leading the campaign against a hotel in his constituency being used as a hostel for asylum seekers.

The government's admission that it has made mistakes over the issue has only added to the atmosphere of chaos.

Greatest fear

But Mr Wyatt has also demanded a temporary ban on all asylum seekers entering Britain.

And he has joined the clamour against the government, claiming the system has completely broken down.

This is a hugely dangerous area for the government which, while eager to show it has a grip on the system, does not want to impose unwarranted and draconian measures.

Blunkett: attacked from both sides

At the moment, ministers are being attacked on both fronts and claims they do not have a grip on the problem are striking a chord with the public.

Suggestions that the problem is being overblown by elements of the media and political opponents are not sticking.

One of the prime minister's greatest fears is that the entire crisis will inflame public opinion both against Islam and also, more generally, against all immigration.

That could very quickly escalate into a serious backlash against all refugees and asylum seekers and Muslims living in this country.

This is a highly sensitive issue threatening to run out of control at a particularly difficult time.