MPs Revolt on Terror Bill

The Independent are reporting that 10 more Labour MPs plan to revolt over plans to detain terrorist suspects without charge for 42 days. Many readers may think that extending the deadline is necessary, but it isn't. The 42 day figure is made up and is just a larger number than 28 and less than 90.

What is really required is that there be no maximum. The police should be able to hold a suspect for as long as they can prove to a judge that they need to. As it stand the police need to appeal to a judge to extent the limit up to a maximum of 28 days. So why do we need that maximum time limit? If the judge agrees that the police should continue to hold the suspect then they should be allowed to hold the suspect. Providing an arbitrary limit serves no purpose.