Charles Kennedy

Liberal Democrats | Ross Skye & Lochaber

Kennedy: Reasonable Progress Over Anti-Terror Legislation, But We Must Ensure Basic Civil Liberties Are Not Compromised

Speaking outside Downing Street after a meeting with the Prime Minister and Michael Howard to discuss anti-terror legislation, Charles Kennedy said:

“We are all anxious to get as much constructive and responsible agreement as we can achieve with the prime priority - that is the responsibility of all of us as representatives - which is the safety of the British public, both those who live in this country and those who are guests and visitors.

But equally, and I say this very much as a Liberal Democrat input in all of this, to make sure that we go about this in a measured way - and I am certainly satisfied that that is the attitude of the Government - and that we don’t surrender basic civil liberties in the process.

It is very important that that is borne in mind and we will work with the Government and the Conservative Party very much on that premise.”

Mr Kennedy also pointed out that the Liberal Democrats retain reservations over the extension of detention periods and there are issues to be resolved over the use of intercept evidence.