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Peers and MPs reject 42-day pre-charge limit

14/05/2008

Increasing the maximum limit for pre-charge detention for terror suspects is "wholly unnecessary", an influential parliamentary group has said.

In a harshly worded statement, the joint committee on human rights (JCHR) said there was no evidence the limit needed to be changed and described proposals for parliamentary safeguards as "virtually meaningless".

Andrew Dismore, the committee's Labour chairman, said: "We are astonished - and extremely disappointed - that the government have failed even to consider our proposed alternative, in the meagre four paragraphs of official response we have received so far."

The JCHR is calling for the introduction of post-charge questioning and for bail to be granted, with conditions, in terror cases.

They also want better incentives for those on the peripheries of terrorism to give evidence, such as improved witness protection schemes.

The Commons will vote on the government's proposals next month, but the news today will give added encouragement to Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and substantial section of the Labour party, all of whom oppose the change.