TWO Bolton Members of Parliament have hit out at plans to scrap a 40-year ban on the tapping of MPs' phones.

Dr Brian Iddon, who represents Bolton South-east, and Bolton North-east MP, David Crausby, said abandoning the unwritten rule - known as the Wilson doctrine - would make it impossible for them to represent their constituents effectively.

Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is expected to formally announce to the Commons within weeks that MPs can no longer be sure the security service and others will not intercept their communications.

Supporters of the move say MPs should be treated in the same way as other citizens, as long as the same safeguards against wrongful tapping are in place.

But many MPs are furiously opposed to the plan.

Dr Iddon said it would leave him unable to discuss certain issues openly with constituents on the phone, such as campaigns to free prisoners he believes are innocent. He said: "MPs have conversations that I believe the Government shouldnt listen to.

"We are passed an incredible amount of sensitive information and in some instances it would make it difficult for MPs to carry out the role they have been elected to do.

"At certain times it would mean I would not be able to use the phone and have to conduct my affairs in person."

He has signed a Commons motion opposing the plans.

Until now successive administrations have pledged that there should be no tapping of MPs' phones and that they would be told if it was necessary to breach the ban.

But that convention, named after Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister who introduced it, is to be abandoned in an expansion of M15 powers following the London bombings last July. Mr Crausby said the move would lead to a culture of suspicion in the House of Commons.

He added: "I am concerned that the opposition will feel intimidated about opposing the Government.

"MPs are suspicious now about being bugged and this will make things worse."