MP Votes Against 42 Days Detention

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, was one of 36 Labour MPs who voted against the proposal to allow people suspected of terrorist offences to be held for up to 42 days without being charged.

Mr Gerrard said “I do not believe there is evidence to show that the present period of 28 days is inadequate. Nobody has been released after 28 days who the Police wanted to continue to question. We already allow people to be held longer without charge than virtually any other country in Europe, and a further extension would put us even more out of step.”

“Of course it is important that the Police have the tools to deal with terrorist threats, and some of the other changes to the law which I support will help them. I have never understood why it was not possible to continue to question someone after they have been charged. I also believe that the Police should be able to use intercept evidence in court when they believe it is appropriate.”

“We should also learn from the past. When internment was widely used in Northern Ireland it did not stop terrorist activity. Using disproportionate curbs on civil liberties can act as recruiting tool for terrorists. I hope that the Government will now think again and drop this proposal.”

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