Not practical, nor in any way workable

That is how Dame Eliza Manningham Buller, former head of MI5, speaking in the House of Lords yesterday condemned the government's proposals for 42 days pre-charge detention.

Extracts from her speech ...

"Successful counter-terrorism work depends on a number of things but in particular good intelligence and good police work, not necessarily changes in the law."

"On a matter of principle, I cannot support 42 day's pre-charge detention."

"I don't see on a practical basis, as well as a principled one, that these proposals are in any way workable."

It is time for the government and anyone who supports them on this issue to think again.

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