MPs: Abandon 42-day limit

The government must give up its proposal to extend the period of time terror suspects can be held without trial to 42 days, MPs and peers have said.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith has called for the extension from the current 28-day limit in “exceptional circumstances” but the joint committee on human rights has dismissed this as being unjustified.

It said evidence received from the crown prosecution service that the extension was unnecessary had proved “devastating” to its case and called on the government to maintain a consensual approach.

“We can see no reason why the proposal to extend the limit for pre-charge detention to 42 days should be brought before parliament at this time,” committee chairman Andrew Dismore said.

The report’s findings echo those of the Commons’ home affairs committee, which said there was “no basis” on which it could recommend a maximum limit for pre-trial detention.

The Home Office has argued the 42-day extension is necessary in “exceptional circumstances” only.
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