Ministers have failed to make case for 42 days

12.00.00am GMT Thu 5th Jun 2008

Commenting on today's [Thursday] Joint Committee on Human Rights report which criticises the Government's plans to increase pre-charge detention, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"This report takes paint-stripper to the Government's claims that it is installing adequate safeguards for the use of 42 days of detention without charge.

"Ministers have completely failed to make their case for this draconian extension which would be nearly four times as long as in comparable English-speaking countries."