Stephanie Dearden
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting
Tel: 020-7771-2551 or 07985649807
PRESS RELEASES
Friday, 7th October 2005
Government Abandons Plans for “Glorifying
Terrorism” Offence
The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, has abandoned plans to introduce a
widely drawn new offence of "glorifying terrorism" after criticism that it would
prove unworkable. Instead, he has published much more tightly drawn legislation
that makes clear that somebody will only be guilty of glorifying terrorism if it
is proved they also intended to incite further acts of terror. However, he has
also announced new powers to temporarily close down mosques and other places of
worship being used by extremists to foment terror.
Elsewhere, Law Lords, Lord Lloyd of Berwick and Lord Steyn, have described
Government-proposed measures to detain suspects for up to three months as
"unlawful" and "intolerable".
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for
Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-
On the amendment to the new
offence of ‘glorifying terrorism’ in the draft Bill: The offence of
glorification was never going to be workable. The new definition is a major
improvement. It means that cases where people are deliberately trying to provoke
terrorism are more likely to stand up in court.
On the proposal for a new power to control ‘extremist behaviour’ in places of
worship: If the police have evidence that individual worshippers are
breaking the law, they should arrest them. If they are unsure who to arrest,
they should use surveillance to gather the necessary evidence. Forcing religious
leaders to silence extremist voices will simply force those voices underground.
Working with religious leaders to resolve problems is always going to be more
productive.
On proposals to hold terrorist suspects without charge for more than 14 days:
The case still has not been made for the holding of suspects beyond 14 days.
It would be far better to charge suspected terrorists with a lesser offence and
hold them on remand while investigations are ongoing. The Home Office have yet
to respond to this suggestion from the Liberal Democrats.
ENDS
Stephanie Dearden
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting
Notes to editors