July 7th inquiry would ‘divert resources’
A committee of MPs and Lords will investigate the links between the July 7th suicide bombers and fertilizer bomb plotters, but the government has ruled out calls for an independent inquiry into apparent intelligence failings preceding July 7th. The home secretary John Reid told MPs yesterday the intelligence and security committee will examine the questions […]
Reid rejects July 7th investigation
The home secretary John Reid has rejected calls from opposition politicians for a full inquiry into the intelligence surrounding the July 7th terrorist attacks after it emerged two of the bombers were monitored by MI5 but not identified as potential terrorists. After five men were found guilty for an Al Qaeda linked bomb plot on […]
Lords vote for phone-tap evidence
Peers have approved the use of phone tap evidence in organised crime cases, despite government opposition. The House of Lords last night passed an amendment, introduced by Lord Lloyd, to the serious crime bill that would allow intercept evidence to be used in some cases. The amendment was passed 182 votes to 121 after peers […]
MPs ‘above the law’ with phone-taps
The rules banning phone-taps on MPs should be lifted, the interception of communications commissioner has argued. In his annual and final report into intelligence gathering, Sir Swinton Thomas has called for the end of the so-called Wilson Doctrine, in order that no person is seen as being “above the law”. In 1966 Harold Wilson established […]
No 10 rejects ‘police state’ claim
Downing Street has rejected claims by one of the nine men arrested by counter-terrorism police in Birmingham last week that Britain is becoming a “police state for Muslims”. Abu Bakr, one of two suspects released without charge by West Midlands police yesterday, said the government’s terror laws were disproportionately targeted at Muslims. In an interview […]
Home Office challenged over terror raid reports
The government came under fire last night from the Conservatives and the human rights group Liberty over the way the media is briefed on counter-terrorism operations. Last week’s dawn raids in Birmingham, which resulted in the arrests of nine people, prompted widespread speculation in the press about the possible cause, all claiming to be based […]
Archbishop warns of ‘police state’ detention
The archbishop of York has warned that extending the time terror suspects can be held without charge to 90 days is getting close to creating a “police state”. John Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, warned the proposal being considered by the government was dangerously similar to what happened under […]
Reid reopens case for 90-day detention
The home secretary has urged cabinet ministers to consider increasing the time terror suspects can be held without charge, it has emerged. John Reid has been discussing upping the 28-day limit with police and today put their case to the weekly cabinet meeting, where ministers agreed to look at the question again. According to the […]
Arrests made in ‘major terrorism operation’
Nine people have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related activities in Birmingham in what has been described as a “major counter-terrorism operation”. Police carried out dawn raids in several parts of the city this morning, and 12 addresses in the Sparkhill, Washwood Heath, Kingstanding and Edgbaston areas have now been sealed off and are being […]
M15 chief to quit
The head of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller, is to resign next April after four and a half years in the job. She said she made the decision before the London bombings last summer, noting that by the time she leaves, she would have been an officer of the security services for 33 years. “I have been […]
