(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Britain would back a government proposal to grant the police more time to interrogate terrorism suspects, according to a poll by ICM Research. 57 per cent of respondents would agree with changing existing legislation so police can hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge, as opposed to the current 28-day limit.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Most people in Britain would back a government proposal to grant the police more time to interrogate terrorism suspects, according to a poll by ICM Research. 57 per cent of respondents would agree with changing existing legislation so police can hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge, as opposed to the current 28-day limit.
In July 2005, four blasts in London killed at least 53 people and injured 700 more. Investigators say three British nationals of Pakistani descent and a Jamaican-born man were responsible for the explosions at three underground stations and a double-decker bus. Authorities believe the event was a coordinated suicide bombing, the first to ever occur in Western Europe.
In November 2005, the Labour government’s original anti-terrorism bill was defeated in the House of Commons after a 322-291 vote. A revised version of the legislation—which allows for a 28-day detention period for suspected terrorists instead of the 90-day period sought by then British prime minister Tony Blair—was introduced and passed immediately following the conclusion of the first vote.
In late June and early July 2007, two attempted car bombings were reported in London, and a car—filled with gas cylinders and fuel—crashed into the doors of Scotland’s Glasgow Airport in another apparent attack. Six people were arrested in connection with the incidents, which according to British investigators, were related.
Labour party leader and British prime minister Gordon Brown has said the government will amend existing legislation to increase the time police can hold a terrorist suspect without charge to 42 days.
On Apr. 30, opposition leader David Cameron urged Brown to back down on his plans to amend the law, and reminded him that some Labour lawmakers are against the changes, saying, "Why do you think you can’t persuade your own MPs?" Brown replied: "You are the man who is a shallow salesman and never addresses the substance of the issue. The important substance of this issue is how do we protect the people of this country against terrorism. That is more than trading a few quotes in the Commons. It is looking at the evidence before us and the evidence is we will need 42 days."
Polling Data
You may be aware that the police are currently allowed to hold terrorist suspects for up to 28 days without charging them. Do you think that the law should or should not be changed so that terrorist suspects are held for up to 42 days without charge?
|
Law should be changed |
57% |
|
Law should not be changed |
36% |
|
Refused |
1% |
|
Don’t know |
7% |
Source: ICM Research
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,010 British adults, conducted on Apr. 23 and Apr. 24, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
