June 12, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Britain agree with a proposal to expand the length of time terrorism suspects can be held without charge, according to a poll by ICM Research published in the Daily Telegraph. 65 per cent of respondents agree with allowing terrorism suspects to stay in custody for up to 42 days, an increase from the current 28-day limit.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Britain agree with a proposal to expand the length of time terrorism suspects can be held without charge, according to a poll by ICM Research published in the Daily Telegraph. 65 per cent of respondents agree with allowing terrorism suspects to stay in custody for up to 42 days, an increase from 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.

Earlier this year, Labour party leader and British prime minister Gordon Brown announced that the government would amend existing legislation to increase the time police can hold a terrorist suspect without charge to 42 days.

On Jun. 10, Martin Scheinin, the United Nations (UN) special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, called for the British government to reconsider the bill, saying, "I am concerned that this counter-terrorism bill, if adopted, could prompt other states to copy the provision into their own counter-terrorism legislation, without reflecting on the importance of effective judicial review."

Yesterday, the House of Commons voted 315-306 to pass the proposed legislation that allows terrorism suspects to stay in custody for up to 42 days.

Polling Data

You may be aware that terror suspects can currently be held by the police for 28 days before they have to be charged or released. The government wishes to increase the length of time they can be held without charge to 42 days. Do you yourself support or oppose changing the law to increase the time police are allowed to hold terrorist suspects before they are charged from 28 days to 42 days?

Support	65%
Oppose	30%
Don’t know	5%

Source: ICM Research / Daily Telegraph
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,023 British adults, conducted from Jun. 4 to Jun. 5, 2008. No margin of error was provided.