Police want terror cases time limit to be scrapped

By Colin Brown

Police chiefs have called for their right to hold terrorist suspects without charge for 28 days to be lengthened to “as long as it takes”.

Ken Jones, the head of Association of Chief Police Officers, said police were “hitting the buffers” of the 28-day limit when involved in complex investigations and needed more time. Mr Jones said: “We are not arguing for some kind of Guantanamo nonsense for the UK. We do not want internment. That would be crazy.”

He denied he was seeking unlimited detention but his remarks, which come in the wake of the recent failed attacks in London and Glasgow reignited controversy over the issue.

Gordon Brown has made it clear he is seeking a consensus with other party leaders on a longer period of detention without charge as part of a new anti-terror Bill. But his aides say the Prime Minister is resisting a knee-jerk reaction.

David Davis, the shadow Home Secretary, said the Tories would continue to oppose an extension of 28-day detention without more evidence that it was needed. He said so far not a “shred of evidence” had been produced. He prefers the alternative of allowing suspects to be questioned after they are charged.

Tony Blair was defeated in the Commons two years ago over proposals for 90-day detention.

Shami Chakrabarti, director of the human rights group Liberty, said police should stick to their constitutional role of upholding the rule of law.

Mr Jones said he understood people would be nervous of extending the limit but said the system has to be changed to allow enough judicial checks and balances to make it justified.

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