Member News
By Tony Grew - 20th January 2011
The detention of terror suspects for up to 28 days will end next week, it has been announced.
Home office minister Damian Green came to the House to answer an urgent question tabled by Ed Balls.
He revealed that the government will not seek to extend the order that allows the holding of terrorist suspects for up to 28 days.
On Monday the maximum detention will revert to 14 days.
Green said no-one has been held for longer than 21 days since 2007. There will be a wider review of terror legislation and the home secretary will give more details in a statement to the House next week.
Draft emergency powers legislation will be prepared in case ministers decide they need to extend the detention period.
Balls, the shadow home secretary, said the government's approach to the issue has been a shambles and not the orderly review promised by the coalition.
He said Labour will support the government on the basis of evidence, but none has been put before MPs. He questioned whether the police and security services agree with ministers that the maximum detention period should revert to 14 days.
Balls said the announcement was a "deeply arrogant way to treat this House".
Green replied that Balls had asked a question, then complained when he was given a substantive answer.
He accused Labour of presiding over a shambles of a counter-terrorism policy, trying for 90 days, then 60 and 42 before settling for 28.
"At every turn the Labour government trampled on civil liberties," he said.
Green told the House that the coalition will repair Labour's "mistakes".
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