It appears that Gordon Brown's Labour government is getting ready for another attempt at increasing the length of pre-charge detention periods, this time from the current 28 days to a much longer period of 58 days. Such an increase would essentially accord the government permanent emergency rule powers without requiring that a state of emergency officially be declared, drawing criticism from John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington.
"This proposed lengthening of pre-charge detention periods runs counter to the fundamental evidentiary basis of our criminal justice system. Not only would it bring us one step closer to unlimited periods of detention without charge, it would also lower public trust and confidence in our police and security services. This proposal isn't about principles or convictions and it's really not even about policy; pure and simple, this is about politics."
