Robert Marshall-Andrews

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Justice - Imprisonment without charge

Attached to this press release is a copy of Bob Marshall-Andrews' House of Commons speech made yesterday during the Second Reading of the Government’s Counter Terrorism Bill.  Mr Marshall-Andrews spoke against extending detention from 28 to 42.

 

Bob Marshall-Andrews added: “I am zealous on the subject of civil liberty.  It is the reason why I joined the Labour Party and one of the reasons why I am still in it.  I believe that civil liberty is the most important part of our political agenda and it is our defining characteristic as a nation.

 

“The issue of imprisonment without charge or trial has been subject again to debate in the House of Commons.  Only two years after extending detention of terror suspects in Police custody to 28 days, the Government proposed increasing the period of time to 42 days.

 

“I read the Head of M15’s speech on the terrorism threat to this country with detailed care and respect.  In examining the primary facts, in order to decide whether the Government crossed the high threshold in persuading Parliament of the necessity, I concluded that I was unable to support any increase in the period of detention.”