Saturday, November 17, 2007

Detention Without Charge

The director of public prosecutions hasn't asked for it, the last attorney general is flat against it. Which begs the question, who apart from the Prime Minister is in favour of raising the limit from 28 days? Ian Blair, the discredited chief of the Metropolitan Police, for one, who's informed the home affairs select committee he would like an extension to between 50 and 90 days. Very specific.

Blair also revealed that since July 2006, when the limit was increased to four weeks, 11 terror suspects have been detained for between 14 and 28 days. Eight were subsequently charged. No need to raise the limit for them. For the other three, released without any charge being made, would the situation have been any different if the police had kept them locked up for another month or two? How long does it take to admit that you're wrong?

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