Monday, June 09, 2008

And the answer is.... 42

Why is the government having a hard job selling the idea of 42 days detention without charge for terror suspects? The problem is that there is no logic for the specific number. To sell an argument a factual and sensible underpinning is required, if someone could say this is exactly why it takes 42 days to gather evidence, question the suspect and make a case then it may gain some credibility. It seems that every minister, just see Jacqui Smith on the Andrew Marr Show, prevaricates on the issue and fails to really explain why 42 days was the right number. To me, and perhaps to many others, it just does not seem convincing and I think this is the main reason why there is a problem. Civil liberties are always seen as sacrosanct and any infringement is controversial, hence the government need to make a strong case for every aspect of the extension. Is it me or do they seem unable to do so?

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