GOVERNMENT'S 90 DAY DETENTION TERROR LAW WILL UNDERMINE COMMUNITY RELATIONS: LEEDS MP
October 27, 2005 12:00 AM
Speaking in the House of Commons Terrorism Bill debate local Leeds MP, Greg Mulholland branded parts the government's plans "draconian, dangerous and deeply divisive". While commending much of the Bill, he spoke of the serious flaws remaining in the proposed legislation. Highlighting the growing concerns in communities in his constituency of Leeds North West, Mr Mulholland spoke out against the government's plans to allow terrorist suspects to be held without trial for 90 days, stressing that parts of his constituency would be disproportionately affected by these new powers.
Speaking in the debate in the House of Commons, Greg said:
"…we all know who will be detained for 90 days without trial. They will be members of communities such as ours who are Asian or Arabic-looking."
Commenting after the debate he said:
"The provisions in the Bill to hold suspects without trial are unnecessary and will badly undermine community relations.
"We should be concentrating on things that will prevent the horrendous events of 7 July not unnecessary measures like this which would mean the equivalent to a six month prison sentence.
"However, there is much in this Bill to be commended and the Liberal Democrats are determined to work constructively with the other main parties to build a genuine consensus on how to tackle the terrorist threat.
"The lasting solutions to the problems which led to the events on 7 July can only come by working with those communities."
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