Government must drop 42 day plans

12.00.00am GMT Sat 26th Apr 2008

Commenting on reports that the Government is preparing 'concessions' to its plan to detain terror suspects for 42 days without charge, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"So-called concessions from the Government cannot disguise the fact that it has failed to give any evidence for the need to extend the existing 28-day period of detention without charge.

"The key point is that the prosecuting authorities already have all the powers and flexibility they need, as Sir Ken Macdonald, the Director of Public Prosecutions, has made repeatedly clear.

"The Government simply needs to drop this mistaken folly and not concoct face-saving measures to cover up its own incompetence."