Call Muslim police chief to give Commons evidence

12.00.00am GMT Fri 18th Apr 2008

Commenting on the report that Britain's most senior Muslim police officer, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, believes that an extension to 42 days of detention without charge would be act to radicalise Islamic communities, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"It is nonsense to suggest that the police all agree with the Home Secretary's plan for longer detention without charge. I hope that the committee looking at the Counter-Terrorism Bill or the Home Affairs Select Committee will now call Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur to give evidence on the likely effects of this ill-advised measure.

"The Government is repeating the mistakes of Northern Ireland by going over the top on legal powers of detention. These can only serve to alienate Britain's ethnic minority communities, dry up the sources of intelligence on terrorism, and make it more difficult to persuade witnesses to appear in court.

"The Home Secretary's ill-advised attempt to get tough will prove counter-productive."