The Government has been accused of performing a humiliating U-turn over plans for youths caught carrying knives to come face-to-face with victims of stabbings.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said ministers had abandoned the proposal, which has been heavily criticised, and accused the Government of indulging in "gimmickry" to tackle the problem.
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith insisted it was never the intention for youths to be taken to A&E wards to meet victims, however doctors may explain the "gruesome injuries" that knives can cause.
The Tories accused the Government of performing a U-turn over the issue of offenders meeting victims of knife crime on hospital wards.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "This is yet another Government announcement that has been conjured up in three days and collapsed in three hours.
"Ministers should realise that gimmickry will not solve this very serious problem."
