David Davis, speaking in Parliament said he felt the government had withdrawn this having appreciated the strength of public opinion.

If the measure returned, he said the government would have a long battle, not least against him, to get it through.

He said many agencies were opposed to the massive database, and suggested the Home Office should be firm with those clamouring for it.

Proposals for a central database of all mobile phone and internet traffic have been condemned as “Orwellian”.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the police and security services needed new powers to keep up with technology.

And she promised that the content of conversations would not be stored, just times and dates of messages and calls.