Defeat of 90-Days Vote
Diane said: “The most important thing is to keep the country safe from terrorism. I believe that this poorly drafted Bill would have done exactly the opposite.” She added: “In particular the draconian proposal to intern people for 90 days without charging them would have had an explosive effect on Britain’s minority communities.”
She continued: “The police already have ample powers to deal with people where there is even a shred of evidence that they are conspiring to commit a terrorist act. This Bill would have licensed the police to go on ‘fishing expeditions’ in the Muslim community and lock up people for 90 days when they have no evidence at all. This would inevitably breed mistrust and anger.”
Diane went on to emphasise that: “We need the Muslim community to co-operate with the police. 90 day internment would only have alienated them. I listened very carefully to what the police had to say about the issue but in a democracy the people’s representatives decide on these matters, not the police.”
She added: “Furthermore, 90-day detention without charge would have been a terrible example to set for other countries throughout the Commonwealth. How can Tony Blair lecture other countries on human rights and then try and bring in 90-day internment?”
Diane concluded: “Last night’s vote was a victory for Parliamentary democracy and individual freedom.”
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