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07/11/2005
Blair defends 90-day detention plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair remains hopeful over plans to introduction 90-day detention for terror suspects, even as Home Secretary Charles Clarke apparently prepares a compromise deal on the controversial issue.
Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Blair said that a “compelling case” remained for the 90-day proposals, which are included in the Terrorism Bill. He said: “There are people in our country now, as we speak, who are, we believe, engaged in trying to plot terrorist acts.”
The Prime Minister said that the extension of the detention period, which is currently 14 days, was necessary to protect national security and allow investigations into complex terror networks to take place. He stressed that a compromise “was not right for the country”.
However, Mr Clarke, who held a cross-party meeting on the issue on Monday morning, said that he would table an amendment to the Bill to change the number of days detention to somewhere between 90 and 28 – the proposed maximum limit of the Conservative party.
The Terrorism Bill faces its final reading in the Commons on Wednesday. Last week, the Bill barely scraped through its second reading, with a government majority of just one vote.
Mr Blair said: “We intend to use the time between now and Wednesday to try to get people to understand the importance of giving the police and our security services the powers they need to prevent terrorism in this country.”
However, the Liberal Democrats, who want the maximum detention period to remain at 14 days, have continued to criticise the proposals. Party leader Charles Kennedy said: “The Prime Minister cannot even persuade his own backbenchers that a 90 day detention period without charge is the best way to deal with the terrorist threat.”
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson Lynne Featherstone said that the proposal was “dangerous”. She said: “It breaks the principle that people should not be locked up without evidence that they are guilty.
“We have to proceed very carefully. Imprisoning people for long periods without any proof that they have done anything wrong could backfire badly and actually lead to the recruitment of more terrorists.”
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking at his monthly press conference, Mr Blair said that a “compelling case” remained for the 90-day proposals, which are included in the Terrorism Bill. He said: “There are people in our country now, as we speak, who are, we believe, engaged in trying to plot terrorist acts.”
The Prime Minister said that the extension of the detention period, which is currently 14 days, was necessary to protect national security and allow investigations into complex terror networks to take place. He stressed that a compromise “was not right for the country”.
However, Mr Clarke, who held a cross-party meeting on the issue on Monday morning, said that he would table an amendment to the Bill to change the number of days detention to somewhere between 90 and 28 – the proposed maximum limit of the Conservative party.
The Terrorism Bill faces its final reading in the Commons on Wednesday. Last week, the Bill barely scraped through its second reading, with a government majority of just one vote.
Mr Blair said: “We intend to use the time between now and Wednesday to try to get people to understand the importance of giving the police and our security services the powers they need to prevent terrorism in this country.”
However, the Liberal Democrats, who want the maximum detention period to remain at 14 days, have continued to criticise the proposals. Party leader Charles Kennedy said: “The Prime Minister cannot even persuade his own backbenchers that a 90 day detention period without charge is the best way to deal with the terrorist threat.”
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson Lynne Featherstone said that the proposal was “dangerous”. She said: “It breaks the principle that people should not be locked up without evidence that they are guilty.
“We have to proceed very carefully. Imprisoning people for long periods without any proof that they have done anything wrong could backfire badly and actually lead to the recruitment of more terrorists.”
(KMcA/SP)
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09 November 2005
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
22 October 2007
Commons Grilling On Terror Laws
The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith is to be questioned about the government's plans for tighter anti-terror laws. She is to appear before the cross-party House of Commons Home Affairs Committee and will be expected to explain how ministers plan to take forward the issue of the maximum detention limit before charge for terror suspects.
Commons Grilling On Terror Laws
The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith is to be questioned about the government's plans for tighter anti-terror laws. She is to appear before the cross-party House of Commons Home Affairs Committee and will be expected to explain how ministers plan to take forward the issue of the maximum detention limit before charge for terror suspects.
12 October 2005
Blair backs 90-day detention plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed controversial plans to detain terror suspects for 90 days without charge, as the government published its proposed anti-terror legislation. Speaking during the Prime Minister’s monthly press conference, Mr Blair said that there was a “compelling” case for a three-month detention period for terror suspects.
Blair backs 90-day detention plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed controversial plans to detain terror suspects for 90 days without charge, as the government published its proposed anti-terror legislation. Speaking during the Prime Minister’s monthly press conference, Mr Blair said that there was a “compelling” case for a three-month detention period for terror suspects.
08 July 2008
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
09 October 2007
Terror Plots 'Increasing' Warns Met Boss
The number of terrorist plots in the UK is increasing, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has warned. Sir Ian told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the number of people involved and the scale of the plots was "mounting year by year".
Terror Plots 'Increasing' Warns Met Boss
The number of terrorist plots in the UK is increasing, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has warned. Sir Ian told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the number of people involved and the scale of the plots was "mounting year by year".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
