Brown: You will do as I say or else go West

Brown: You will do as I say or else go West

If the government has compelling reasons for extending internment from 28 to 56 days, then why has it not been made public?

This morning one of the government of many talents the Security minister Lord West told the Today Programme "I want to be totally convinced because I am not going to go and push for something that actually affects the liberty of the individual unless there is a real necessity for it".

Lord West was then summoned to Number Ten Downing Street and told to either go straight outside and change what he had said by 180 degrees or face the sack. He chose to keep his job but lost his integrity in the process.

If Lord West was able to be convinced after half an hour at Number Ten, why is the House of Commons going through this charade of a consultation process? It is patently clear that Gordon Brown has already made up his mind on this issue.

Therefore, I feel that if he feels so strongly about depriving people of their liberties then he should make it a vote of confidence.