The BBC reports that US Attorney General John Ashcroft has launched a strident defence of the controversial Patriot Act, saying it was the government's responsibility to defend Americans in any way it could.

Mr Ashcroft highlighted support for the Patriot Act given earlier by members of Congress and the website lists quotations from members of both parties supporting the legislation, almost wholly dating back to October 2001 when it was introduced.

But since then dozens of cities and counties across the country have approved resolutions criticising the Patriot Act and various lawsuits have been brought to declare it unconstitutional.

Even the Republican-led House of Representatives has become involved in recent weeks, striking down "sneak-and-peek" rules which allowed government agents to search private property without telling the owner.

Other controversial areas - such as agents being allowed to scrutinise people's library records without showing what crime they believe could be being committed - still stand despite challenges.