|
|
Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Julian Huppert MP writes: It’s time to bail out ‘Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures’ [TPIMs]
July 1, 2011 5:58 PM
• [Jun 29] Julian Huppert: writes: LABOUR'S approach to dealing with the threat of terrorism was illiberal and ineffective. The regime they built was topped off by control orders, which remain one of the most odious elements of their legacy. These orders totally bypassed due legal process, establishing a bewildering clandestine world of secret evidence, special advocates and draconian restrictions that would have made Kafka blush.
. . I have been appointed to the Bill Committee, and so it falls to me to help improve the government's proposals . . To try to improve things, and with considerable help from Liberty, the human rights organisation, I brought around 80 amendments aimed at ensuring the security and liberty of our society. They would have achieved this by creating a system where the Home Secretary could apply to the High Court for a TPIMs notice, which, if granted, would remove the bar on police bail for suspected terror offences in individual cases. A Chief Constable would then be able to apply bail conditions as necessary (including all of those proposed under TPIMs) to ensure our security was protected. This would restore due legal process and support prosecution.
Unfortunately, the Committee didn't seem inclined to listen to my proposals, let alone accept them. But the important thing is the principle: I did not want to miss the opportunity both to restore liberty and to ensure our nation's security. Only by prosecuting terrorist suspects can we obtain the public safety we desire, and only by following due legal process and the rule of law can we retain or restore essential freedoms.
We can have due legal process, security and liberty. We must avoid the trap of sacrificing one for the sake of the others.
* MP for Cambridge & a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats