The Downing Street spokesman again insisted this morning (14th January
2004) that the Government would not be forced to amend their proposals
to allow 24-hour opening for pubs and clubs. Home Secretary Charles
Clarke had held consultations this week with the Association of Chief
Police Officers and it was recognised that the problem was fixed
drinking up times. "We will continue to talk" the Prime Minister’s
spokesman said.

But Michael Fabricant believes this approach is wrong. "I used to be a
great supporter of abolishing all restrictions on pubs and clubs, but
having seen the late night mayhem in Lichfield and Burntwood and
received scores of complaints from constituents, I think the Government
has got this wrong. The danger facing us now is that drunken crowds
will roam from club to club in the early hours as each one closes at
different times and then cause a major nuisance when they eventually
return home. It will be important that local licensing authorities
liaise closely with police to ensure that this will not happen."