Menu
08/11/2005
Government holds firm on detention plans
The government is preparing to face a tough vote on the Terrorism Bill tomorrow, as it has refused to back down over controversial 90-day detention plans for terror suspects.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke, who had been expected to announce a compromise on the proposed maximum time that suspects could be detained, announced that the government will press ahead with the original 90-day proposal.
The move follows a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, at which MPs reportedly showed strong support for the proposal.
The government has also agreed to introduce a “sunset clause” in the Bill, allowing it to be reviewed after one year, if it is passed.
Senior Labour backbencher Janet Anderson has tabled an amendment to the Bill, reducing the detention limit to 60 days, but it is understood that this is only intended to be an option if the government fails to secure enough votes for the 90-day proposal.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tony Blair remained confident that MPs would vote for the 90-day proposal. He 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.”
On Tuesday, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced his support for the 90-day proposal, while Metropolitian Police Chief Sir Ian Blair also voiced his support, saying that there was "chilling" evidence of new terror plots.
The Bill narrowly avoided defeat, by a majority of just one last week, after Mr Clarke hinted at compromise on detention plans and offered all-party talks on the issue.
The Conservatives have argued for a 28-day limit on detentions, while the Liberal Democrats want the maximum time limit to remain at 14 days. Similarly, there are Labour backbenchers that are opposed to the 90-day limit.
Labour backbencher David Winnick has reintroduced an amendment calling for a maximum limit of 28 days, which he withdrew last week, following Mr Clarke’s offer of all-party talks.
However, it has been reported that some Conservative MPs are planning to vote with the government on the issue. One, former home office minister Ann Widdecombe, told BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that she intended to vote with the government, due to the introduction of the sunset clause.
However, Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve said: “The government’s decision makes a mockery of the assurances that Charles Clarke gave earlier. It suggests a major split between the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister. It shows that the government has behaved with a degree of deceit in dealing with Parliament.
“It is now for Parliament to ensure that there is adequate support for national security while maintaining essential freedoms.”
(KMcA/SP)
Home Secretary Charles Clarke, who had been expected to announce a compromise on the proposed maximum time that suspects could be detained, announced that the government will press ahead with the original 90-day proposal.
The move follows a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, at which MPs reportedly showed strong support for the proposal.
The government has also agreed to introduce a “sunset clause” in the Bill, allowing it to be reviewed after one year, if it is passed.
Senior Labour backbencher Janet Anderson has tabled an amendment to the Bill, reducing the detention limit to 60 days, but it is understood that this is only intended to be an option if the government fails to secure enough votes for the 90-day proposal.
On Monday, Prime Minister Tony Blair remained confident that MPs would vote for the 90-day proposal. He 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.”
On Tuesday, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced his support for the 90-day proposal, while Metropolitian Police Chief Sir Ian Blair also voiced his support, saying that there was "chilling" evidence of new terror plots.
The Bill narrowly avoided defeat, by a majority of just one last week, after Mr Clarke hinted at compromise on detention plans and offered all-party talks on the issue.
The Conservatives have argued for a 28-day limit on detentions, while the Liberal Democrats want the maximum time limit to remain at 14 days. Similarly, there are Labour backbenchers that are opposed to the 90-day limit.
Labour backbencher David Winnick has reintroduced an amendment calling for a maximum limit of 28 days, which he withdrew last week, following Mr Clarke’s offer of all-party talks.
However, it has been reported that some Conservative MPs are planning to vote with the government on the issue. One, former home office minister Ann Widdecombe, told BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme that she intended to vote with the government, due to the introduction of the sunset clause.
However, Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve said: “The government’s decision makes a mockery of the assurances that Charles Clarke gave earlier. It suggests a major split between the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister. It shows that the government has behaved with a degree of deceit in dealing with Parliament.
“It is now for Parliament to ensure that there is adequate support for national security while maintaining essential freedoms.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 February 2006
Government wins ID Cards Bill vote
The expected backbench rebellion failed to materialise last night as the controversial ID Cards Bill was passed by 31 votes in the House of Commons. While 20 Labour MPs joined the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in opposing the Bill, the Government victory means that the card will be issued along with passports in 2008.
Government wins ID Cards Bill vote
The expected backbench rebellion failed to materialise last night as the controversial ID Cards Bill was passed by 31 votes in the House of Commons. While 20 Labour MPs joined the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats in opposing the Bill, the Government victory means that the card will be issued along with passports in 2008.
17 January 2014
Miliband Speech Promises Reform Of UK Banking Market
Labour leader Ed Miliband has criticised the UK's five largest banks, saying that they should be made to surrender a "significant" number of branches.
Miliband Speech Promises Reform Of UK Banking Market
Labour leader Ed Miliband has criticised the UK's five largest banks, saying that they should be made to surrender a "significant" number of branches.
02 February 2006
Free vote for MPs on smoking ban
MPs will be allowed a free vote on proposals to introduce a smoking ban in England, including an option to introduce a total ban. MPs will have three options to choose from when the vote takes place at the report stage of the Health Bill in the Commons later this month.
Free vote for MPs on smoking ban
MPs will be allowed a free vote on proposals to introduce a smoking ban in England, including an option to introduce a total ban. MPs will have three options to choose from when the vote takes place at the report stage of the Health Bill in the Commons later this month.
02 June 2015
Welsh Government To Vote On Smoking Ban In Cars
A vote is to take place in the Welsh Assembly today on banning people from smoking in cars when children are present. If approved, the ban would come into effect on 1 October, 2015, with a similar ban in England also being enforced on the same day. In 2007, legislation was passed in Wales to make smoking in enclosed public places illegal.
Welsh Government To Vote On Smoking Ban In Cars
A vote is to take place in the Welsh Assembly today on banning people from smoking in cars when children are present. If approved, the ban would come into effect on 1 October, 2015, with a similar ban in England also being enforced on the same day. In 2007, legislation was passed in Wales to make smoking in enclosed public places illegal.
22 May 2012
Government To Decide If Prisoners Get The Vote
The UK will be able to decide whether to allow prisoners the vote, following a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights. The international court ruled today that it is up to individual governments how they implement a ban on convicted prisoners voting.
Government To Decide If Prisoners Get The Vote
The UK will be able to decide whether to allow prisoners the vote, following a judgment from the European Court of Human Rights. The international court ruled today that it is up to individual governments how they implement a ban on convicted prisoners voting.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
