MPs renew 28-day detention rules

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

And they agreed to add the names of two more radical Islamist organisations to the list of terror groups banned in the UK.

But the controversial Hizb-ut-Tahrir group, which Conservative leader David Cameron last week said should be banned, was not among those proscribed.

The Government failed in 2005 to extend to 90 days the period for which terror suspects may be held for questioning without charge, when the House of Commons voted instead for a 28-day maximum. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated he will reopen the question in a counter-terrorism bill in the autumn.

Under the terms of the Terrorism Act 2006, the 28-day provision must be renewed annually by Parliament or revert to the previous 14-day maximum.

The annual extension was passed without a vote in the House of Commons, as counter-terrorism minister Tony McNulty told MPs that recent cases had "substantiated" the case that police need at least this much time to carry out their investigations.

There have been six cases of 28-day detention since the Act came into force, leading to three charges, he said.

"We think at the very least the case has been made for, and certainly the alleged plots since have substantiated, the position around 28 days," Mr McNulty told the Commons.

The Government now wants "serious and sustained consultation" on whether the detention period should once more be extended.

MPs also approved without a vote the banning of Jamatul Mujahedin Bangladesh - a Taliban-inspired terrorist group, and Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi - a militant group seeking the imposition of Sharia law in Pakistan.