Major: Detention proposal totally unacceptable

Monday, 7 November 2005 12:00 AM

Former prime minister Sir John Major has branded the government's proposal to hold terror suspects for up to 90 days without charge "totally unacceptable".

His comments yesterday came as the government prepared for talks with opposition parties in a bid to reach a compromise on the issue.

The government remains defiant about the proposals, although amid mounting pressure it now acknowledges a deal will have to be reached.

Ministers argue that the police require extra time to gather evidence in complicated terrorism cases; and they say the risk is too high not to give them this power.

But in an interview for ITV's Jonathan Dimbleby, Sir John said of the new bill: "I think it has got to change. I can understand what the government are getting at here; I have some sympathy with the target that they're aiming at, but this clause is much too wide.

He continued: "I think the 90 day concept is utterly and totally unacceptable in a liberal society.

"You don't protect our liberties by withdrawing them, and I think to attempt to go to 90 days was the most illiberal concept and I'm astonished that the government contemplated holding people without charge for that period of time."

The government argues that it is offering sensible legislation based on advice from the police. But Sir John argued that the government's role was to balance the opinions of the police with the civil liberties essential to a functioning society.

On the police he added: "They have a particular perspective, and I understand and I sympathise with their perspective, but the government have to look at civil liberties as well.

"And I think it is going too far when you propose to detain people without any charge at all for 90 days. I just don't think that is acceptable.

Sir John concluded: "I would need a lot of persuading, a lot of persuading, with detailed arguments that it would be proper or wise to go beyond 28 days."

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