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MPs debate terror detention limit MPs agree terror detention limit
(10 minutes later)
MPs are debating whether to maintain the 28-day limit on holding terror suspects without charge. MPs have voted in favour of maintaining the 28-day limit on holding terror suspects without charge.
They will also vote on whether to add two new names to the list of banned terror organisations. They were also due to vote on whether to add two new names to the list of banned terror organisations.
The Tories have said they will not seek to reduce the limit, but it should be seen as an "exceptional power". Earlier, the Tories said they would not seek to reduce the limit, but it should be seen as an "exceptional power".
But they warned against attempts to increase the limit to 90 days - a move on which the government was defeated in 2005 - without "clear evidence". They warned against attempts to increase the limit to 90 days - a move on which the government was defeated in 2005 - without "clear evidence".
The 28-day limit was a compromise - the government wanted 90 days, but attempts to push it through ended with Tony Blair's first Commons defeat as PM.The 28-day limit was a compromise - the government wanted 90 days, but attempts to push it through ended with Tony Blair's first Commons defeat as PM.
'Radical' change'Radical' change
The Terrorism Act 2006 amended previous terror laws to extend the 14-day limit on holding other types of criminal suspects, but built into it was a clause which said the changes would lapse after 12 months - on 25 July 2007 - unless a further order was made.The Terrorism Act 2006 amended previous terror laws to extend the 14-day limit on holding other types of criminal suspects, but built into it was a clause which said the changes would lapse after 12 months - on 25 July 2007 - unless a further order was made.
MPs are debating the an order which would stop the limit reverting to 14 days and instead extend it for another year. MPs debated an order which would stop the limit reverting to 14 days, but voted instead to extend the 28-day limit for another year.
Shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve said the Tories would not oppose the order, but said it should be remembered that Britain had "moved radically away" from the time when 48 hours was considered sufficient to hold someone before charge.Shadow attorney general Dominic Grieve said the Tories would not oppose the order, but said it should be remembered that Britain had "moved radically away" from the time when 48 hours was considered sufficient to hold someone before charge.
He also said his understanding was Australia's upper limit on holding suspects without charge was 14 days, while in the US it was 10 days.He also said his understanding was Australia's upper limit on holding suspects without charge was 14 days, while in the US it was 10 days.
Media speculationMedia speculation
He said he would like to see a return to the 14-day limit in the UK eventually "if at all possible".He said he would like to see a return to the 14-day limit in the UK eventually "if at all possible".
And he raised concerns that holding people for long periods before they were charged was fuelling media speculation and was risking prejudicing future trials.And he raised concerns that holding people for long periods before they were charged was fuelling media speculation and was risking prejudicing future trials.
Tory MP John Bercow suggested the number of individuals held for the full 28 days "could be counted on the fingers of one hand".Tory MP John Bercow suggested the number of individuals held for the full 28 days "could be counted on the fingers of one hand".
The police, along with the security services, the government and all right thinking people want to bring these people to court in the swiftest fashion at the earliest opportunity Tony McNultyHome Office ministerThe police, along with the security services, the government and all right thinking people want to bring these people to court in the swiftest fashion at the earliest opportunity Tony McNultyHome Office minister
And Labour MP David Winnick said consensus had been reached on the 28-day limit and it should only be extended if "there is really compelling evidence that there is a justification to go beyond it".And Labour MP David Winnick said consensus had been reached on the 28-day limit and it should only be extended if "there is really compelling evidence that there is a justification to go beyond it".
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said six people had been held for the full 28 days - three of whom were charged and three who were not.Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said six people had been held for the full 28 days - three of whom were charged and three who were not.
He said the government wanted "substantial debate" on terror laws and the 28-day limit and he would be happy to meet frontbenchers from other parties to discuss it further.He said the government wanted "substantial debate" on terror laws and the 28-day limit and he would be happy to meet frontbenchers from other parties to discuss it further.
"We are very very serious about that consultation," he said."We are very very serious about that consultation," he said.
But he said the government believed "at the very least" the case had been made for 28 days' detention - but said they had to take a collective view about whether "in utter extremis" suspects should be held for longer if required.But he said the government believed "at the very least" the case had been made for 28 days' detention - but said they had to take a collective view about whether "in utter extremis" suspects should be held for longer if required.
He said the limit did not mean suspects would be held longer than was necessary.He said the limit did not mean suspects would be held longer than was necessary.
"The police, along with the security services, the government and all right thinking people want to bring these people to court in the swiftest fashion at the earliest opportunity," he said."The police, along with the security services, the government and all right thinking people want to bring these people to court in the swiftest fashion at the earliest opportunity," he said.
MPs will also decide whether to add two groups - Jammat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh and Tehrik Nefaz-e Shari'at Muhammadi - to the list of banned organisations.MPs will also decide whether to add two groups - Jammat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh and Tehrik Nefaz-e Shari'at Muhammadi - to the list of banned organisations.