Last updated 11:23, Thursday, 27 November 2008

THIS government is particularly fond of new laws and Jacqui Smith's latest idea is to criminalise the seedy men who pay for sex with trafficked and exploited women.

Just when I thought the Home Secretary was being a bit more sensible, she comes out with this nonsense which will doubtless drive trafficked women further underground and make them even more vulnerable prey to the scum who run sex slavery.

Of course it's a shocking business. Even the Women's Institute has torn itself away from Jam and Jerusalem to begin campaigning this week.

But isn't it the job of the police to catch the people who organise these sex networks and isn't it the responsibility of the courts to send them to prison for a suitably long time?

Much as we deplore the kerb crawlers, there are bigger issues involved in prostitution and these centre on drugs and illegal immigration. I can't help thinking that this is going to be more badly conceived legislation from a politician who wants to look good, but really hasn't a clue.