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MPs debate terror detention limit | MPs debate terror detention limit |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The government's controversial proposal to allow terror suspects to be detained for up to 42 days without charge is to be debated by MPs from about 1540 BST. | |
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is confident the government will succeed in getting its plans through. | The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is confident the government will succeed in getting its plans through. |
But there is opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a number of Labour backbenchers, who say the proposals are unnecessary. | But there is opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a number of Labour backbenchers, who say the proposals are unnecessary. |
The current laws allow suspects to be detained for 28 days. | The current laws allow suspects to be detained for 28 days. |
Ms Smith has said that the 42-day detention would only be used temporarily and in exceptional circumstances. | Ms Smith has said that the 42-day detention would only be used temporarily and in exceptional circumstances. |
We have not lost any cases at all by going past the 28 day barrier at the moment Lord DearEx-chief constableWest Midlands Police | |
But Lord Dear - formerly Geoffrey Dear, the chief constable of West Midlands Police - is sceptical of the argument for longer detention. | |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We don't need an extension. The ex-attorney general has said so, many senior police officers I know and speak to privately say so. | |
"We have not lost any cases at all by going past the 28 day barrier at the moment." | |
A series of safeguards have been proposed by Ms Smith as ministers seek to win over enough Labour opponents to allow the proposals to go through. | |
They include giving MPs a debate within 30 days about any case of a suspect being held beyond 28 days. | |
The plans to extend the limit could also face an Equality and Human Rights Commission court challenge. | The plans to extend the limit could also face an Equality and Human Rights Commission court challenge. |
The commission says the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill could contravene race equality legislation, as it is being established to deal with a particular religious and racial minority. |