UK publishes controversial terror bill

The UK government published controversial new counter-terrorism plans on Thursday which are likely to present Gordon Brown, prime minister, with a tough parliamentary test in the coming weeks.

Opposition and Labour MPs, along with senior lawyers and human rights groups have criticised a key proposal in the new Counter Terrorism Bill to extend the limit suspects can be held without being charged from 28 to 42 days.

Ministers, supported by senior police chiefs and some government security advisers, argue that terror plots are becoming more complex, both in terms of their international dimension and the use of encrypted technology, so that more time may be needed to investigate before a suspect is freed.

Jacqui Smith, home secretary, said today that the threat to the UK from international terrorism meant that changes to existing legislation were needed “to ensure that we have the power to deal with it”.

However critics say existing laws already give the government powers to declare a national emergency in exceptional circumstances, and that the latest proposal is an unnecessary encroachment on civil liberties.

In an effort to win parliamentary support, the government has increased parliamentary and judicial oversight of its proposed measures.

But further amendments to the bill are likely to be the subject of an extended debate in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before a final vote is taken, probably in March.

The Bill contains less controversial measures, including new powers allowing police to question suspects after they have been charged, and provision for the private sector to finance additional protection of key gas sites.

New offences created by the Bill include that of communicating, publishing, or eliciting information from members of the armed forces which might be of use to a terrorist.

The Bill also imposes new obligations on volunteer workers in non government organisations and charities to disclose information about terrorist financing.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cfdc75f4-ca90-11dc-a960-000077b07658.html