Clarke aide hints at anti-terror bill concessions
The Government has given a fresh signal that it is prepared to offer concessions over its controversial new anti-terror plans.
The Home Secretary’s parliamentary private secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Charles Clarke was continuing to try and gain a maximum degree of support for the proposed plans, which include new powers of house arrest.
“We are actually very close to agreement on the main issues,” stressed Mr Clarke’s aide Stephen McCabe.
“What we have to do is find a way of getting the maximum degree of support for these measures that are necessary because of the risk posed.”
“Charles Clarke has been seeking consensus from the outset of this. He is continuing to listen to people.”
Commenting before the Prevention of Terrorism Bill is expected to complete its final stages in the Commons on Monday, Mr McCabe added:
“Obviously it is in everyone’s interests to get agreement on this but I think we actually have to wait until the rest of the parliamentary procedure is completed before we can be certain about what we will be able to agree on.”
Yesterday, the Prime Minister denied claims that he is “railroading” the controversial plans for house arrest through Parliament and insisted he was trying to protect the country from terrorist attack.
Tony Blair also indicated that he might be able to compromise on opposition demands to give judges a greater role in regard to the ‘control orders’ that would see terrorism suspects confined to their houses or banned from using telephones and the internet.
Despite opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a number of Labour backbenchers, press reports suggest that Labour ministers are confident of passing the proposed laws through the House of Commons without much difficulty.
But political commentators are predicting that the Government will face greater difficulties in the House of Lords, where Labour has no majority.
