HOME Secretary Charles Clarke's controversial plan for an all-Wales police force sparked a major revolt among Welsh MPs.

The cross-party Welsh Affairs Select Committee - which includes Newport East MP Jess Morden and Monmouth MP David Davies - says today it is "wholly opposed to the premature forced amalgamation of Welsh forces".

The Argus is campaigning for the Gwent force to retain its independence. The 11-member committee contains six Labour MPs and their stinging criticism suggests the government may face a parliamentary rebellion on the proposals.

The committee's report comes after it called in Wales' four chief constables, including Gwent's Mike Tonge, and the police authorities as well as Home Office minister Hazel Blears to examine the proposal to merge Gwent, South Wales, Dyfed Powys and North Wales into a national Welsh force.

Gwent Police Authority is due to meet tomorrow to discuss the merger. Mr Clarke wants them to agree to a voluntary merger or face having the changes forced on them.

The authority has previously indicated it will not agree by Friday's deadline, partly because the cost implications are not yet known. The Welsh Affairs Select Committee criticises the government for stampeding the police forces and not allowing enough time for genuine consultation. They demand that if police reorganisation goes ahead the government should fully meet the cost and warn that any funding cuts would be "unacceptable".

The committee's report says: "Particularly damaging were the announcements by the Secretary of State for Wales, Peter Hain, that he favoured the all-Wales option without having all the evidence before him. We regret the government's hasty announcement to amalgamate the four forces. The timing was unsatisfactory given there are many outstanding issues yet to be adequately addressed.

"We share the serious concerns expressed to us that there is insufficient information.

"Without that it is not possible to conclude that an all-Wales strategic force is the best way forward for Wales."

Mr Hain last week sent a letter to MPs urging them to support the plans to counter terrorism, drug dealing and organised crime.