Sir, Reports that the Liberal Democrats have “opened the door” to an extension of the period of pre-charge detention (Political Briefing, Nov 21) do not tell the whole story.
At no point in this debate have we seen or heard, in public or in private, any evidence that the 28-day period needs to be extended. Even the increase from 14 to 28 days was founded on a political compromise, rather than compelling evidence.
If the police want to extend pre-charge detention again, they will need to present overwhelming proof that this is necessary and will not prove unduly counter-productive by fuelling further radicalisation.
It is unfortunate that the question of 90 days has become a political virility test. Ministerial posturing about who can sound toughest on terror has distracted us from the much more pressing task of ensuring we have a criminal justice system suitable to allow the arrest, questioning, charge and prosecution of terror suspects, and where guilty their conviction.
Securing the right prosecutions should be our first goal. This Government’s determination to circumvent due process will not solve the problem, and runs the serious risk of making it worse.
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NICK CLEGG
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman
SIMON HUGHES
Liberal Democrat constitutional affairs spokesman