14/10/2008
Smith Proposes Detentions Measures After Lords Defeat
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is determined to push through new terror detention laws - despite a crushing defeat of the Counter Terrorism Bill in the Lords last night.
Ms Smith said the government would introduce emergency legislation that would allow police to hold suspects for up to six weeks, should they pose a serious threat of attack.
The government has insisted such a move is necessary to deal with the increased terrorism threat.
Last night peers rejected a bill that would extend current police powers - allowing authorities to detain suspects without charge for 42-day instead of the current 28-day limit.
The House of Lords voted down the Commons' recommendations 308 to 118.
Ms Smith told the BBC: "My priority is we need to find a way through this."
"That's why I brought to the Commons yesterday a bill that is ready-prepared so that if, and I fear when, we face a situation that is so complex, so difficult, so potentially dangerous that it actually requires us to investigate somebody for longer than 28 days it will be there ready."
Amendments to the previous bill will contain fewer checks and safeguards.
The Home Secretary said she expected cross-party support for the powers, at a time when security experts have described the current threat level "at the severe end of severe."
"There is a problem here. I have tried to work with the opposition parties throughout this to try and find a way through," she said.
"They have steadfastly refused to engage in a process that might help us to solve this problem."
Former MI5 chief Baroness Manningham-Buller has played down the need for more stringent laws. As have civil rights group Liberty, who said: "Common decency says we don't lock people up for six weeks without charge."
Last night's decision by the Lords has received a mixed reaction in the national press.
The Sun accused peers of risking the lives of Britons.
While a Guardian commentator said: "Now is time to yield to its force, by burying this poisonous proposal."
See: Detention Bill Faces Lords
(PR/JM)
Ms Smith said the government would introduce emergency legislation that would allow police to hold suspects for up to six weeks, should they pose a serious threat of attack.
The government has insisted such a move is necessary to deal with the increased terrorism threat.
Last night peers rejected a bill that would extend current police powers - allowing authorities to detain suspects without charge for 42-day instead of the current 28-day limit.
The House of Lords voted down the Commons' recommendations 308 to 118.
Ms Smith told the BBC: "My priority is we need to find a way through this."
"That's why I brought to the Commons yesterday a bill that is ready-prepared so that if, and I fear when, we face a situation that is so complex, so difficult, so potentially dangerous that it actually requires us to investigate somebody for longer than 28 days it will be there ready."
Amendments to the previous bill will contain fewer checks and safeguards.
The Home Secretary said she expected cross-party support for the powers, at a time when security experts have described the current threat level "at the severe end of severe."
"There is a problem here. I have tried to work with the opposition parties throughout this to try and find a way through," she said.
"They have steadfastly refused to engage in a process that might help us to solve this problem."
Former MI5 chief Baroness Manningham-Buller has played down the need for more stringent laws. As have civil rights group Liberty, who said: "Common decency says we don't lock people up for six weeks without charge."
Last night's decision by the Lords has received a mixed reaction in the national press.
The Sun accused peers of risking the lives of Britons.
While a Guardian commentator said: "Now is time to yield to its force, by burying this poisonous proposal."
See: Detention Bill Faces Lords
(PR/JM)
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Constitutional reform, which would allow life peers to resign, will be amended to ensure former lords cannot stands as MPs for five years. According to reports, Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who is heading up Parliamentary changes, will introduce a "cooling off" period to ensure ex-lords cannot automatically contest a Commons seat.
16 July 2013
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09 July 2012
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Rebel MPs Sign Letter Opposing Lords Reform
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26 October 2011
Gov 'Climb Down' Over Medical Bill Amendment
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