Hull MP welcomes new powers to fight terrorism

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has welcomed this week's House of Commons vote to extend the maximum period that terrorist suspects can be detained without charge.

The Labour Government's proposal to increase the maximum time that police can detain a terrorist suspect without charge from 28 days to 42 days is one of a list of new measures to combat terrorism in the Counter Terrorism Bill.

The powers, which would only be used in exceptional circumstances and with extensive safeguards, now need to be approved by the House of Lords.

Diana Johnson MP said: "The safety of the public is the first duty of any government. I am therefore pleased that the Government's proposals on the pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects have been supported by a majority of MPs in the face of bitter opposition largely composed of Lib Dems, Tories and the likes of George Galloway.

"Those voting against giving the police the anti-terrorist powers that they need sadly give greater weight to the rights of terrorist suspects than to the right to safety of law-abiding citizens.

"The vast majority of Hull North people contacting me on this issue support the actions that are necessary to protect the country from terrorism and so do I. Hoping for the best is not good enough - it is common sense to prepare for the worst in the face of the growing complexity of the terrorist threat.

"This will not be the end of this issue, as the proposals will now go to the unelected House of Lords."

Diana will be writing to Hull North constituents who have contacted her on the terrorist issue setting out her reasons for voting in favour of the new police powers. This letter will also be placed on Diana's website at www.dianajohnson.co.uk.