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Police 'broke law not telling suspects why they were held'
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor24 Nov 2009
POLICE broke the law by holding the terror suspects for up to two weeks without revealing the allegations against them, today's report reveals.
In a highly critical study of police actions, Lord Carlile states that officers were legally required to tell "promptly" the men detained in the raids which offences they were suspected of committing.
Instead, he says that they acted illegally by telling the suspects only that they were being held on suspicion of being "a terrorist" when there is no provision in law to justify prolonged detention on such vague grounds.
The report states: "At some point between arrest and the end of his detention period the suspect must be told the offence or offences of which he is suspected."
Lord Carlile says all counter-terrorist police should now be given training on the law.
Several of the men detained are now understood to have begun legal action against the police for wrongful detention.
Reader views (5)
Its funny how some people want to read things as they believe it should be written.
I suppose the Guilford 4 and Birmingham 6 deserved everything they got hey Frank and John.
- Dc, London, 24/11/2009 14:18
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John and Frank... They were SUSPECTS not terrorists. Do you not see how your view is completely skewed, given that there is no actual evidence (in the article) to suggest that they even ARE terrorists?
What if I were to tell the police that you're both terrorists (obviously a ludicrous accusation), and they were to arrest you and hold you without telling you why... would you consider that your human rights had been violated?
Given that you're obvoiusly the kind of people who enjoy wallowing in reactionary opinion, I expect that you'd kick up a stink far louder than these "terrorists" have done.
- Tom, Reading, England, 24/11/2009 12:07
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Read the article,it says terrorist suspects.The terrorist laws have a habit of striking the wrong target.If Walter Wolfgang can be classed as a terrorist it may well be your turn next.What is happening to this country when you can be scooped off the streets and be held for any amount of time with no proof needed?Also a problem is the charge of "Joint enterprise"This is what hung Derick Bentley,who if I am not mistaken received a pothumuos pardon.Can we ever get back to normality,do the powers that be want us to?
- John P, tyne&wear, 24/11/2009 12:00
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Only in England can a terrorist bomb us then sue us.
- John Beatson, Sheffield England, 24/11/2009 11:01
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Those poor terrorists, what a terrible abuse of their 'uman rights.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 24/11/2009 10:04
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