Civil liberties group slams Blunkett's terror proposals

A leading civil liberties group has sharply criticised the Home Secretary's new anti-terrorism legislation as "political posturing" and "ill-considered".

Mark Littlewood, Liberty's Campaign Director, was reacting today following news that Home Secretary David Blunkett was tabling legislation that could increase the time police can hold a terrorism suspect without charge.

According to the Terrorism Act amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, which will be debated in the House of Commons on 20 May, the period a terrorist suspect can be held without charge will double from seven to 14 days.

The Home Secretary has defended the move as necessary in order for police to collate evidence against sophisticated criminal gangs.

Mr Blunkett said: "To close in on terrorists, the police increasingly need to analyse complex material. In the course of an enquiry, they may need to examine computer hard disks, make multiple enquiries across different countries, or retrieve dangerous substances for forensic analysis. While the seven-day window for the investigation of terrorist suspects is often enough, in exceptional or complex cases the police may need more time.

"I recognise that this important power needs appropriate scrutiny, and only a court may grant an extension to the period of detention without charge."

However, Mr Littlewood slammed the proposal as "unnecessary".

"There seems to be no end to this government's tendency to rush through ever more draconian powers in order to appear 'tough on terror'," he said.

"There is precious little evidence to suggest that the present provisions, allowing for up to seven days detention without charge, are inadequate. Few terrorist suspects need to be detained for as long as a week - let alone a fortnight - before a decision can be made as to whether or not to charge them.

"Extensive reviews of our terrorist laws have never suggested that lengthier detentions without trial were necessary or desirable.

"Political posturing to try and assure the public that "something is being done" is an unhelpful and dangerous distraction."

A further amendment concerns new provisions to make the fraudulent use of a passport and driving licence an arrestable offence.

Terrorism expert, Chief Constable Michael Hedges, said: "Additional time to complete a thorough investigation will add significantly to our ability to protect the public from the enduring threat from terrorism, whilst respecting the rights of individuals."

(GMcG)