Terrorism Bill - 90 days is too long to hold suspects says Lib Dem (Andrew Simpson)

Terrorism Bill - 90 days is too long to hold suspects says Lib Dem

November 9, 2005 1:00 PM

"90 day period is unjustified for Police detention"

Speaking on BBC Radio Northampton today ahead of the vote on the Government's Terrorism Bill Andrew Simpson has added his voice to those opposing any further extension in police powers to hold suspects without charge.

"The Labour Government seems to think that by becoming more and more authoritarian it will cut down on the threat of terrorist attacks - yet this bill could lead to innocent people being locked up for three months without charge" said Andrew. " The terrorist win if in order to beat them we start to sacrifice some of our fundamental rights. What's more introducing draconian laws will lead to the recruitment of more terrorists."

The Liberal Democrats have opposed moves to extend the existing period for holding suspects without charge beyond 14 days. The party has today published advice on the Terrorism Bill from one of the country's leading experts on criminal procedure, Professor John Spencer, which confirms that there is no basis for the Government's claim that the police have to wait until forensic evidence is available before they charge a suspect, so that questions can be put to the individual.This shows that one of the government's main arguments for an extension beyond 14 days is flawed. It is in fact possible to question terror suspects after they have been charged.

"The Government needs to be looking at the root causes of terrorism and tackling that no simply using knee jerk reactions and headline grabbing laws to try and be seen to be doing something" continued Andrew