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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| PM considers 56-day terror limit | PM considers 56-day terror limit |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown is considering doubling to 56 days the period terrorism suspects can be detained without charge. | Gordon Brown is considering doubling to 56 days the period terrorism suspects can be detained without charge. |
| He is expected to try to extend the 28-day limit, when he unveils his strategy on counter-terrorism. | He is expected to try to extend the 28-day limit, when he unveils his strategy on counter-terrorism. |
| New powers may also allow for the seizure of suspects' passports as part of plans to improve airport security. | New powers may also allow for the seizure of suspects' passports as part of plans to improve airport security. |
| The Tories say there is no evidence an extension on 28 days is necessary. Human rights lawyer Imran Khan said it would send "mixed messages" to Muslims. | The Tories say there is no evidence an extension on 28 days is necessary. Human rights lawyer Imran Khan said it would send "mixed messages" to Muslims. |
| Wednesday's announcement will be Mr Brown's first detailed statement on counter-terrorism since he became prime minister four weeks ago. | Wednesday's announcement will be Mr Brown's first detailed statement on counter-terrorism since he became prime minister four weeks ago. |
| Seek consensus | Seek consensus |
| An attempt to extend the period to 90 days in 2005, ended with Tony Blair's first Commons defeat as prime minister. | An attempt to extend the period to 90 days in 2005, ended with Tony Blair's first Commons defeat as prime minister. |
| What you are saying to the community is...we are going to batter you with legislation, we are going to arrest you, we are going to criminalise you Imran KhanHuman rights lawyer | |
| Mr Brown has indicated that he will seek consensus, but there is still no cross-party agreement on the issue of pre-charge detention. | Mr Brown has indicated that he will seek consensus, but there is still no cross-party agreement on the issue of pre-charge detention. |
| Ministers say more time is needed because terrorism plots are becoming increasingly complex. | Ministers say more time is needed because terrorism plots are becoming increasingly complex. |
| Among the options under consideration are doubling the detention time limit to 56 days and allowing judges to set a limit on a case-by-case basis. | Among the options under consideration are doubling the detention time limit to 56 days and allowing judges to set a limit on a case-by-case basis. |
| There may also be proposals to allow authorities to remove the passports of people suspected of wanting to travel abroad for terrorism-related purposes - closing a loophole identified by police. | There may also be proposals to allow authorities to remove the passports of people suspected of wanting to travel abroad for terrorism-related purposes - closing a loophole identified by police. |
| Mr Brown is expected to address the issue of security at ports and airports through improvements to the way passengers are monitored before they reach the UK. | Mr Brown is expected to address the issue of security at ports and airports through improvements to the way passengers are monitored before they reach the UK. |
| 'Time is right' | 'Time is right' |
| On Tuesday, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "the time is now right" to reconsider extending detention without charge beyond the current limit. | On Tuesday, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "the time is now right" to reconsider extending detention without charge beyond the current limit. |
| QUESTIONED FOR 28 DAYS Six men held up to the legal limit since law changedFive were suspects in alleged plot to target airlinersTwo of these men were chargedThree others were releasedSixth man charged in Manchester in unrelated investigation Q&A: Terror laws explained | |
| She said that the 28 day limit was already being tested. | She said that the 28 day limit was already being tested. |
| Since the 14 day limit was extended she said one person had been charged after 15 days, four were charged after 19 and 20 days, and six were held for between 27 and 28 days, three of whom were charged. | Since the 14 day limit was extended she said one person had been charged after 15 days, four were charged after 19 and 20 days, and six were held for between 27 and 28 days, three of whom were charged. |
| But Mr Khan said plans to extend the limit to 56 days appeared to be a "volte face" on Mr Brown's previous announcements that he wanted to win the battle for "hearts and minds". | But Mr Khan said plans to extend the limit to 56 days appeared to be a "volte face" on Mr Brown's previous announcements that he wanted to win the battle for "hearts and minds". |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It gives out the wrong signal to the community. What you are saying to the community is...we are going to batter you with legislation, we are going to arrest you, we are going to criminalise you." | He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It gives out the wrong signal to the community. What you are saying to the community is...we are going to batter you with legislation, we are going to arrest you, we are going to criminalise you." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY This is a legal not political matter, therefore judges must have a say in how long a person is held without charge Steve, Mancheater Send us your comments | |
| Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said it would be better to change the law to allow police to continue questioning suspects after they were charged. | Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said it would be better to change the law to allow police to continue questioning suspects after they were charged. |
| "The whole point of that is to relax the pressure on 28 days. If you can continue interviewing post-charge, you can charge earlier with a greater chance of conviction." | "The whole point of that is to relax the pressure on 28 days. If you can continue interviewing post-charge, you can charge earlier with a greater chance of conviction." |
| The Tories say, in a crisis, ministers already have emergency powers to extend the 28-day limit, by 30 days under the Civil Contingencies Act. | The Tories say, in a crisis, ministers already have emergency powers to extend the 28-day limit, by 30 days under the Civil Contingencies Act. |
| "It's not just a poker chip in the game of politics, this is about our freedoms and our security together," Mr Davis added. | "It's not just a poker chip in the game of politics, this is about our freedoms and our security together," Mr Davis added. |
| MPs agreed to extend the 14-day limit on holding suspects without charge to 28 days in 2005, after rejecting the government's preferred option of 90 days. | MPs agreed to extend the 14-day limit on holding suspects without charge to 28 days in 2005, after rejecting the government's preferred option of 90 days. |