The erosion of individual liberty has been steady over the last 20 years. The 1989 Prevention of Terrorism (Provisions Act) allowed a suspect to be detained for 48 hours without charge, losing rights which citizens had held for centuries.

In 1999, emergency powers to deal with terrorism were made permanent, and the 2000 Terrorism Act – effective from February 2001 allowed a person to be detained for seven days. This was subsequently increased to 28 days.

In November 2005 the Government tried to increase the period of detention by increments to a possible 90 days and, having been defeated, has now brought in a period of detention without charge to 42 days.

If there are reasonable grounds for arresting a person then charges should be brought. To detain someone for such a long time without evidence to bring a charge is disgraceful.

The Government has tacitly admitted this by stating that a person detained for more than 28 days without charges being brought will be compensated financially.

It is also difficult to define what is meant by terrorism: it is stated in such broad terms that almost anyone who disagrees with government policy and tries to make changes through peaceful pressure groups could be classified as such.

There have been many governments throughout the world and throughout the ages that have interfered with people's liberty, but few have done it so ineptly.

Carl Pinel
Horse Fair Avenue
Chapel-en-le-Frith