Mike Freer MP has welcomed the review into Labour’s anti-terrorism laws announced today by the Home Secretary.
Six counter-terrorism and security powers are to be the subject of a Home Office review, which will be completed over the summer recess. The Home Secretary told the House of Commons that laws must be appropriate to the level of threat, give police the powers they require but safeguard British citizen’s ancient civil liberties.
The Home Secretary said: “National security is the first duty of government but we are also committed to reversing the substantial erosion of civil liberties.”
The review will look at:
- Use of control orders
- Stop and search powers in section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and use of terrorism legislation in relation to photography
- Detention of terrorist suspects before charge
- Extending the use of deportations with assurances to remove foreign nationals from the UK who pose a threat to national security
- Measures to deal with organisations that promote hatred or violence
- Use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 by local authorities, and access to communications data in general