The home secretary has resumed responsibility for UK security and anti-terror efforts following a hospital operation.

David Blunkett has been out of action for two weeks whilst he recovered from treatment on a long-standing stomach problem.

Deputy prime minister, John Prescott, took temporary charge of counter-terror efforts amid growing fears of an imminent attack on the UK.

"Home secretary David Blunkett is now sufficiently recovered from recent surgery to resume responsibility for overseeing security, counter terrorism and internal resilience measures," said a Home Office statement.

Other briefs - such as immigration and criminal justice reform - will continue to be handled by other Home Office ministers until parliament returns after the Christmas break.

Top of Blunkett's in-tray will be Downing Street's concern that the public is being "scared witless" by unnecessary and uncoordinated warnings that Britain is about to be attacked by terrorists.

Following a raft of dire predictions that the UK faces imminent threats from al Qaeda, Number 10 was forced to rein in civil servants who had been giving the press briefings without clearance.

Blunkett is said to share the view that the government's strategy on terror warnings must be handled centrally to prevent "mixed messages" causing public panic or confusion.

Reports concerning a possible attack on London and Edinburgh on New Year's Eve sparked fresh alarm and confusion yesterday.

Downing Street now appears to have warned security sources that any statements about a possible terror attack must first be cleared by the prime minister's office.