Brown is no friend of freedom

5.20.23pm GMT Tue 17th Jun 2008

Commenting on today's speech on security and liberty by Gordon Brown, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Gordon Brown is using doublespeak to paint himself as a friend of freedom when his Government has done more than any other in recent times to undermine civil liberties.

"42 day detention without charge, attacks on jury trials, the removal of rights to protest and the introduction of ID cards are all attacks on the freedoms of the British people.

"Hard-won freedoms are not being destroyed by terrorists but eroded by a Government intent on looking tough.

"We are becoming what we are fighting, which is the biggest prize any free society can give to its enemies."