Lords debate anti-terror plans
The House of Lords is beginning to debate the detail of the Government’s controversial plans to introduce control orders for terrorist suspects.
The plans narrowly made it through the House of Commons after Home Secretary Charles Clarke said he would amend the bill in the Lords so that judges, rather than politicians, made the initial order to place a suspect under house arrest.
Both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are now pushing for further concessions.
The Government wants to introduce a series of control orders – ranging from the restriction of internet usage, electronic tagging and ultimately house arrest – that could be imposed on individuals it believes are a major terrorist threat but for whom there is not enough evidence to charge.
The plans have run into stiff opposition from across the political spectrum due to concerns about human rights, civil liberties, the rule of law and effectiveness.
Yesterday, Tony Blair rejected an offer from the Conservatives that they would support the bill if it contained a ‘sunset clause’ which would see the powers lapse in November.
The Government is in a hurry to get the bill through as the current anti-terror legislation that allows foreign suspects to be detained without charge is due to expire in a few weeks.
Today will see the committee stage in the Lords, where both opposition and Government amendments will be debated.
