We should listen to what the police service has to say and give respect to a service which has served us well over the years

Lord Fowler Tory former cabinet minister

But the government was quick to insist the move was "not bowing to pressure".

Concerns were raised as the Lords started detailed committee stage debate on the Police Reform Bill.

Earlier shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin and shadow Lords leader Lord Strathclyde warned they would gather a cross-party movement for a major assault on the bill unless Home Secretary David Blunkett had a re-think.

Tory former cabinet minister Lord Fowler told peers: "We should listen to what the police service has to say and give respect to a service which has served us well over the years."

He said he was "amazed" that Mr Blunkett had accused police of "resisting change for decades".

Act of faith

Amendments tabled by Tories and Liberal Democrats aim to ensure consultations take place before the home secretary can implement his plans.

Cross-bencher Lord Condon, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner said he supported the amendments and they would be seen as "an act of good faith".

Tory former home office minister Lord Elton warned that the bill could be used by future governments to exercise political control over the police.

What the home secretary does is to give himself the power to direct at every level the operations of every police force in England and Wales

Oliver Letwin Shadow home secretary

Lord Dholakia, for the Liberal Democrats, urged consultation before the national police plan was produced.

Lord Rooker said he was going to "take away what peers have said with the force and experience they bring to bear" to ask officials if a form of words could be found "to meet their requirements".

He insisted there was no intent by the government to do anything underhand in the legislation.

Outside the chamber, a Home Office spokesman said: "This is not bowing to pressure.

"We said we would listen to the debate in the House and consider it in advance of the report stage.

'Fundamental threat'

"We do not have a problem with the spirit of the amendment on the national policing plan and the amendment does not affect the thrust of the Police Reform Bill."

Earlier Mr Letwin said many of the Bill's aims were very welcome but two sections of it "pose a fundamental threat" to the rule of law in Britain.

"What the home secretary does is to give himself the power to direct at every level the operations of every police force in England and Wales."

Mr Letwin said the problem was there was no evidence the Home Office was any better than anyone else at running things.