I have just tried to post a response on D.D.’s campaign website, for some reason it won’t let me, so I’ll post it here.
I agree with Mr Davis on a number of points. Firstly, the government is trying to Salami Slice our liberties away. I know they deny it but what else is introducing four weeks detention without charge, attempted introduction of Identity cards and an ever increasing fascination with CCTV culture. It is a disturbing development which should really have the full attention of the British people. That is why I wholeheartedly support Mr Davis’ bid to take this to a national debate through forcing a by-election.
Secondly, if the authorities already have enough to charge, but perhaps not enough to convict on then it is surely only right to allow post-charge questioning, I see no issue with this just as I see no issue with using intercept evidence. These two things are tools which can be used to convict, this is not an issue as if the evidence is not there then the defendant will have the chance to defeat the proscecution, this is a non-starter for suspects being held without charge, chiefly because the suspect cannot defend him/herself against unknown charges.
I do however not agree with Mr Davis on the point of 28 days. For me, 28 days is as repulsive as 42 and the arguements against it are the same. Four weeks behind bars, without knowing the nature of the charges against you is far too long. I note that in the United States Authorities can detain persons for up to 24 hours and then have to appeal to the courts for a 24 hour extention if needs be. Some may say that this increases the risk of attack from “terrorists” or whatever it is you would call them, I disagree, you would see an increase in attacks if you did not fund the security services properly, the Americans however do and consequently have some of the best technologies and expertise in the world for gathering evidence. Funding therefore is a much better option than cutting costs and putting the Liberty of human beings at risk, is this really too much to expect?
Detention without charge, for any extended period will alienate those who suffer at its hands. Surely Irish internment and Guantanimo Bay have shown how dangerous this act can be, it not only offends the detainee but also those around him/her and could easily alienate yet more young people against the British State just when we dont need to.
I will be going up to Haltemprice on Wednesday to help out on the campaign until Polling day, so blogging will be sporadic, but hopefully fairly interesting.
