Kennedy cautious over house arrest talks
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy today said the Government was “moving in the right direction” on its home detention plans following his talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Mr Kennedy and Conservative leader Michael Howard have been in Downing Street today to discuss with the Prime Minister the Government’s controversial plans to put terror suspects under indefinite home arrest and other ‘control orders’ to deal with the perceived terrorist threat.
Speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street after the end of his discussions with the Prime Minister, Mr Kennedy said the it was too early to say the Government had “backed down”.
However, there had been “movement” on increasing judicial involvement in the detentions – which could mean judges, rather than the Home Secretary, making detention orders.
“The Government are acknowledging that you do need to build in a more tangible use of judicial process. However, how you go about doing that remains an item for discussion,” he told reporters.
Asked whether he could accept the control orders in some form, he said: “It depends in what way and at what time the judicial process is involved.
“Our position has been quite clear that you have to have proper judicial involvement – you can’t leave it simply in the hands of the Government and the Prime Minister.”
On the possible use of intercept evidence, the talks had not revealed anything, he added.
“The Government’s position on intercepts remains as it has been, and as it stands our position on intercepts remains the same as well,” he said.
Mr Kennedy said discussions would continue.
Mr Howard is expected to speak to reporters on his interpretation of the talks later this afternoon.
