Jacqui Smith’s latest proposals on extending detention without charge make a mockery of our attempts to “fight the war on terror” on the home front. Leaving aside comment on that invidious phrase itself, the question must arise is this anyway to win an argument let alone a war? The government’s approach is shambolic.

We are told that the extension of detention without trial may become necessary in certain circumstances; that it is essential to defending ourselves against the possibility of another 7/7. Fine, let’s for the moment accept the government’s underlying proposition; it still does not get us to the government’s conclusion.

What the government has singularly failed to explain is why 42 days or why 56 or why 90? The government appears to be turning the justice system into a game of bingo. If 90 days is truly what is need the government should not be running from the argument and should make the case. Instead Jacqui Smith appears to be plugging for arbitrary numbers, desperate whilst retreating to salvage some sort increase that can be brandished as a partial victory.

If Lord Goldsmith and Keith Vaz, normally loyal to the point of doormat, can rally themselves to join the ranks of Ken McDonald, Shami Chakrabarti and our own David Davis in saying this case has simply not been proven, surely the government must wake up and realise they have not proven their case. They cannot attack our basic liberty, regardless of whatever sops they throw to their backbenchers until they have demonstrated the absolute necessity of such an attack.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2007 at 6:32 pm , written by Alistair and is filed under Security. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.