We had our first bad news under the Coalition a little while ago. Now, we've had some more.
The rules which allow the police to detain suspects for 28 days without charge are to remain in force for at least another six months. Both parties in the Coalition have indicated that they think that the limit, which is the longest in the developed world, is too high. But still it's going to continue.
Extending detention without charge went against the grain of our country’s traditions of fairness under the law. I am afraid that continuing the policy suggests that the government’s promise to safeguard rights and liberties is hollow.
The record of prosecutions shows that this power has done nothing to advance the fight against terrorism. All it does is damage the very values of democratic freedom that terrorists hate.
