British House of Commons backs longer detentions for terror suspects

In a 315-306 vote, the lower house of Parliament says suspects can be kept up to 42 days behind bars without being charged. The current cap is 28 days. The amendment now goes to the House of Lords.

By Kim Murphy
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

1:24 PM PDT, June 11, 2008

LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown survived a crucial battle of nerves with Parliament today over expanding Britain's terrorism laws, securing initial approval for holding terrorism suspects up to 42 days before they are charged with a crime.

The new legislation inched through the House of Commons by nine votes amid concerns it could threaten innocent citizens with the loss of their homes, jobs and social networks even if they are released after spending six weeks behind bars in a terrorism investigation.

"Liberty is the common strand that binds us together, and we have shed blood to protect it, both abroad and at home. Today, the government asks us to shed some of that liberty," said lawmaker David Davis, the opposition Conservative Party's spokesman on law enforcement affairs.

But government officials, who successfully pushed through the vote after months of intense lobbying and compromise, warned that the expanding number and complexity of terrorism plots makes it necessary to give police more time to complete their investigations before deciding whether to charge or release a suspect.

Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, told Parliament there are more than 200 terrorist groups being monitored by law enforcement authorities in Britain, with about 65 suspects convicted on terrorism-related charges since the beginning of 2007.

"The threat is more ruthless than any we have faced before. It aims for mass casualties, uses suicide methods, and would use dirty bombs if given half a chance," she said.

"Terrorists living and working in our society have learned how to use technology to cover their tracks," she added. "They travel a network, sharing experiences and learning from mistakes. Terrorist plots in this country now almost invariably involve multiple connections to many countries overseas. That alone creates huge technological and logistical challenges for investigators."

The amendment to the counterterrorism law, approved on a 315-306 vote, extends the maximum period of pre-charge detention of 28 days in the current law, which human rights groups say is already the longest among developed, democratic nations.

But in a series of concessions, the government has specified that the maximum 42-day detentions can only be used in cases where there is a "grave, exceptional terrorist threat," and Parliament must approve the extension within seven days. Defendants, as before, would be brought before a judge within 48 hours, and a judge would review their detention every seven days.

The amendment now goes to the House of Lords, where strong opposition and possible adjustments are expected, resulting in its likely return to the House of Commons later this year for another round of voting.

Opponents have said the European Court of Human Rights could also decide that the legislation, if it is finally adopted, does not conform with European human rights law.