New anti-terror laws ‘could be rushed through’
The government may rush through further anti-terror legislation if investigations into last week’s terror attacks in London suggest police need stronger powers, Tony Blair said.
The prime minister’s comments to the Commons yesterday came ahead of a poll for the The Times today that reveals more than eight out of ten people support extra police powers to arrest those suspected of planning attacks.
Mr Blair told MPs that the government intended to put further counter-terrorism legislation before parliament in the autumn as planned, with a view to introducing it by spring 2006.
“I do not currently see any reason to depart from that timetable. However, that is subject to an important caveat,” the prime minister added.
“If, as the fuller picture about these incidents emerges and the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear that there are powers that the police and intelligence agencies need immediately to combat terrorism, it is plainly sensible to reserve the right to return to parliament with an accelerated timetable.”
While he stressed that any new powers would be introduced with “on the basis of a consensus”, Mr Blair said: “My own view is that just using the normal processes of law will not be enough.
“On the other hand, we must be careful in whatever legislation we introduce that we do not traduce the very principles that we seek to uphold.
“That is the balance that we must try to strike, and I can only say that I will do my best to try to reach as broad a consensus as possible on any legislation that may be needed.”
Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy welcomed the emphasis on consensus, but the Conservative leader warned of the need to balance civil liberties with security.
“In our great capital city and beyond, the terrorists have united Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, those of all faiths and those of none in our contempt for those who want to destroy that diversity and our democratic and liberal way of life,” Mr Howard said.
“It is clear that one of the challenges now will be to achieve the right balance between that liberalism and the security that we all want.”
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Kennedy added: “A mature parliamentary democracy must react as exactly that in the light of such events.
“We have heard measured and determined statements from the government and the prime minister over the past few days, and the whole country is grateful for that. As long as the government continues to adopt that tone and approach, they deserve and will certainly receive wholehearted support.”
