Ealing North
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Steve Pound MP Ealing North |
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42-days 16 June 2008 - National news Why I voted for 42-days... A number of people have written to me on the issue of the 42-day detention and I value the opinion of those who have contacted me on the subject, but am in an absolute quandry over this issue. I certainly wouldn't have voted for the original proposition but a reserve power subject to approval of the DPP and affirmative votes in Parliament seems a fair compromise between the priorities of the individual and the state. I was concerned at the issue of international comparisons but their purity swiftly becomes sullied when you look closely. The awful murder of Meredith Kercer in Perugia has led to the suspects being detained from last Autumn to early 2009 by the simple expedient of filing a minor charge. The same system pertains in the US and a wholly transparent pre-charge detention policy as proposed by the Home Secretary is far, far fairer and more honest than a nominal seven days pre-charge detention and years of incarceration on minor charges. It will also mandate continuous judicial oversight and legal representation. I wasn't convinced of the necessity until the 7th July incidents when I was in the Home Office and saw the complexity of the investigative process. Above all I wholly reject the assertion that Muslims will be alienated by this action. September 11th.and July 7th. both happened before either Iraq or 42 days. I have a profound distaste for anything that diminishes habeas corpus but a reserve power would only be used at a time of national emergency and I can see the need for this (even if the simplistic argument for building flood defences before the flood doesn't engage me). I genuinely believe that this is such a complex area that an incredible amount of analysis is essential and my efforts have tended to direct me towards supporting the government on this issue. |
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| Disclaimer | Copyright | Designed by Bassam Mahfouz. Promoted by Julian Bell, The Labour Party, Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP on behalf of Steve Pound MP |
