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13/10/2008
Detention Bill Faces Lords
Peers are widely expected to reject controversial plans to extend the time police can hold a terror suspect, later today.
The new law would allow authorities to detain a suspect for up to six weeks, without charge - a step that has already been slammed by some high-profile members of the House of Lords.
Although the Upper Chamber cannot completely block the bill, it is likely to embarrass the government should the process stall.
The government has dismissed media reports the Counter Terrorism Bill will be dropped if it fails to get the backing of peers.
Officials have pledged to press for the change, and if necessary, will reportedly use the Parliament Act to force the bill though.
One of the law's strongest opponents has been the former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller.
Baroness Manningham-Buller used her maiden speech in the Lords, earlier this year, to blast the changes.
The crossbench life peer said she "didn't see on a practical basis as well as a principled one that these proposals are (in) any way workable".
John Laird, an Ulster Unionist peer, has said he will be "staggered" if the law is passed in the Lords today.
"I am totally against this for a number of reasons. I don't see why we should be allowed to lock people up for an unnecessarily long period of time without giving them information on what they have been locked up for," he said.
Lord Laird added: "I have spoken to many people in London about this ranging from senior security staff to the former Attorney General and to the head of MI5 and all of them are totally opposed to this 42-day detention - This is an issue about human rights and I would be staggered if it goes through."
Terror suspects can currently be held for 28-days, an extension of this to 42-days has been described by civil liberties groups as 'draconian'.
Government ministers have warned the increasing complexity of terror plots means police need more time to deal with suspects.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "The House of Lords should take the advice of the House of Commons in this matter."
(PR/JM)
The new law would allow authorities to detain a suspect for up to six weeks, without charge - a step that has already been slammed by some high-profile members of the House of Lords.
Although the Upper Chamber cannot completely block the bill, it is likely to embarrass the government should the process stall.
The government has dismissed media reports the Counter Terrorism Bill will be dropped if it fails to get the backing of peers.
Officials have pledged to press for the change, and if necessary, will reportedly use the Parliament Act to force the bill though.
One of the law's strongest opponents has been the former head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller.
Baroness Manningham-Buller used her maiden speech in the Lords, earlier this year, to blast the changes.
The crossbench life peer said she "didn't see on a practical basis as well as a principled one that these proposals are (in) any way workable".
John Laird, an Ulster Unionist peer, has said he will be "staggered" if the law is passed in the Lords today.
"I am totally against this for a number of reasons. I don't see why we should be allowed to lock people up for an unnecessarily long period of time without giving them information on what they have been locked up for," he said.
Lord Laird added: "I have spoken to many people in London about this ranging from senior security staff to the former Attorney General and to the head of MI5 and all of them are totally opposed to this 42-day detention - This is an issue about human rights and I would be staggered if it goes through."
Terror suspects can currently be held for 28-days, an extension of this to 42-days has been described by civil liberties groups as 'draconian'.
Government ministers have warned the increasing complexity of terror plots means police need more time to deal with suspects.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "The House of Lords should take the advice of the House of Commons in this matter."
(PR/JM)
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26 June 2007
Terror suspect hands himself into police
A man who went missing while subject to a terrorism control order has appeared in court after surrendering to police custody. Ceri Bullivant, who was previously known as 'AG', appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday morning. He had handed himself into police at Belgravia police station in London on Monday.
Terror suspect hands himself into police
A man who went missing while subject to a terrorism control order has appeared in court after surrendering to police custody. Ceri Bullivant, who was previously known as 'AG', appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday morning. He had handed himself into police at Belgravia police station in London on Monday.
21 November 2005
Terror bill faces Lords
The government’s anti-terror legislation is set to face another tough battle in the House of Lords. The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said that peers would examine the legislation on a “line-by-line” basis, while Liberal Democrat leader Lord McNally said that the Bill would receive a “thorough going over” in the Upper House.
Terror bill faces Lords
The government’s anti-terror legislation is set to face another tough battle in the House of Lords. The Conservative leader in the Lords, Lord Strathclyde, said that peers would examine the legislation on a “line-by-line” basis, while Liberal Democrat leader Lord McNally said that the Bill would receive a “thorough going over” in the Upper House.
10 March 2005
Terror Bill suffers second defeat in House of Lords
The row over the government's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill continues, following its second defeat in the House of Lords.
Terror Bill suffers second defeat in House of Lords
The row over the government's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill continues, following its second defeat in the House of Lords.
08 March 2005
Terror Bill faces more opposition in House of Lords
The government's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill faces more opposition after the House of Lords voted for an amendment to the Bill. The peers voted 249 to 119 in favour of an amendment, which stated that judges should be responsible for issuing all control orders.
Terror Bill faces more opposition in House of Lords
The government's controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill faces more opposition after the House of Lords voted for an amendment to the Bill. The peers voted 249 to 119 in favour of an amendment, which stated that judges should be responsible for issuing all control orders.
25 February 2004
Government Bill outlines plans for new Supreme Court
Plans to set up an independent Supreme Court as the UK's highest court of appeal have been published today in the Constitutional Reform Bill. The Supreme Court will be the final court of appeal for England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and the final civil court of appeal for Scotland.
Government Bill outlines plans for new Supreme Court
Plans to set up an independent Supreme Court as the UK's highest court of appeal have been published today in the Constitutional Reform Bill. The Supreme Court will be the final court of appeal for England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and the final civil court of appeal for Scotland.
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