New Push for Extended Terror Suspect Hold Period
The most senior officer within British police urged on the 9th October 2007 for the current detention limit for terror suspects to be extended. Currently at 28 days, he called for this to be increased to a time period between 50 and 90 days.
The detention extension was proposed by Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan police commissioner, who, alongside the anti-terrorism branch’s head, Peter Clarke, was speaking to the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. Sir Ian conceded that, to date, there had not been an instance where more than 28 days was needed to interrogate a suspect, but urged for a change in the law sooner rather than later.
"At some stage 28 days is not going to be sufficient”, emphasised Sir Ian. “...The worst time to debate whether an extension is needed would be in the aftermath of an atrocity. The prospect we need more than 28 days in the not too distant future is so real that parliament needs to consider it."
This new call will likely re-introduce the debate over the appropriate period that terror suspects should be held. In 2005, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair’s efforts to extend it to 90 days generated insufficient support. However, the current 28 day limit was created as a result, doubling the previous 14 day threshold.
According to Sir Ian, the number of terrorist plots being hatched is on the ascent, as is the complexity of their planned destruction. Although a lower number of cases are being investigated, those that are are more advanced than before. "The pragmatic inference can be drawn that 28 days will not be sufficient”, he stressed.
"If you can see the epidemic moving towards you, you start to take precautions before it arrives."
Since the advent of the 28 day limit, 204 terrorism-related arrests have been made. Of these, 11 individuals have been held for a period of between 14 and 28 days. Eight were subsequently charged with offences relating to terrorism – the remainder set free.
In response, David Davis, the Shadow Home Secretary, stated any extension needed to be based on concrete facts that such a measure is required to ensure public safety. "The government already has the power to go beyond 28 days if the threat reaches the 'magnitude' Sir Ian foresees in the future", he contested.
Source – Security International’s Current Affairs Correspondent
Recent related News Items:
New Calls to Extend Terror Suspect Hold Time Limit
More Terrorism-Related Stop/Searches in London
