A row has broken out over Home Office plans to use large country houses and hotels as asylum induction centres.

Property companies have been commissioned to look for buildings which already have planning permission to avoid the need to consult councils or residents.

Officials will later today sign a contract with a property company to provide 111 asylum places at the three-star Coniston Hotel in Sittingbourne, Kent.

It is a move that is opposed by residents and the local MP, Derek Wyatt.

David Blunkett yesterday attacked the "wilder myths" linking refugees with terrorism.

"It is important to be straight about some of the wilder myths which surround terrorism and asylum seekers, in particular. The majority of asylum seekers - whether legitimate or not - have nothing to do with terrorism," the home secretary said.

The Sun, along with others in the media, highlight the case of an ex-Taliban fighter given refugee status.

The newspaper is urging its readers to "get angry" and back a petition calling on Tony Blair "to protect Britain before it is too late".