UPI : Britain seeks tough anti-terrorism laws

Britain seeks tough anti-terrorism laws

August 20, 2006

LONDON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Terrorism suspects could be held without trial in Britain under a proposal by the country's top security official, a report says.

Home Secretary John Reid has instructed his staff to draft the new measures, which would let law-enforcement officials bypass British human rights legislation, The Independent on Sunday newspaper reports.

Backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair, Reid's proposed measures would let police put suspects under house arrest without being charged or convicted of any offense, the report says.

The law would also apply to British citizens.

Officials believe suspending key parts of the British Human Rights Act of 1998 would thwart the judiciary, which has ruled it illegal to imprison foreign terror suspects without charge and has watered down existing control orders imposed on dozens of suspects.

The new powers could be unveiled in November when Queen Elizabeth gives her annual speech to Parliament outlining the government's agenda for the coming year, the newspaper said.