42-day detention: liberty on hold

42-day detention: liberty on hold

The Government has failed to make its case for a six-week limit

The Government's plan to extend from 28 to 42 days the period for which terrorism suspects can be held before charging them has become more about the retention of the Prime Minister than the detention of terrorists. With a familiar display of stubborness, Gordon Brown has made his 42-day proposal a needless test of virility: both of himself and now also - to the evident alarm of his Labour colleagues - of his party.

Drop it Gordon. FFS drop it!