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Former MI5 head slams 42-day detention plans

27/09/2008

A former MI5 chief, Dame Stella Rimington, has criticised the government's plans to extend the period under which suspects can be held without charge.

In comments cited by the Guardian newspaper, the ex-intelligence supremo said the 42-day detention plans were excessive.

Speaking about the legislation which is yet to be approved by the House of Lords, she told the newspaper: "It's too much, quite frankly," adding that the US' Guantanamo Bay detention centre had damaged the moral standing of the west.

The controversial bill has been passed by the House of Commons but needs the approval of the upper house as well before becoming law. Under its terms, terrorism suspects may be held without charge for up to 42 days.

Currently, police have the right to hold a terror suspect for 28 days without charge.

Dame Rimington is the second spy head to come out against the plans after Lady Manningham-Buller also criticised the plans for being impractical and contrary to her principles.

Dame Rimington was speaking at the Crime Scene festival where she was launching her espionage thriller, Dead Line.