We had a long debate on this Bill yesterday with around 50 Peers speaking – it was a long haul! I think the standard of debate was good with powerful contributions on both sides of the argument.
I repeated a point I have made before that we need to borrow an aspect of continental law for this tiny but dangerous group of people. I also compared the present position on rights of suspects with the position that applied in the 1970’s and 80’s when there were far less rights for suspects. I also referred to the wrongful conviction cases arising our of the Guildford and Birmingham pub bombings one of whom I saw as a probation officer. It was a worrying example of how questioning over a week without anyone present and without recording interviews can and did lead to wrongful convictions. Fortunately recording of interviews and the right to see a solicitor is now an important safeguard against such convictions.
It is worth looking at this debate if you are interested in the Terrorism issue.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80708-0015.htm
It’s this terrorism issue that made me pay more attention to the House of Lords. After Noddy managed to get this through the Commons I was utterly relieved to hear that the Lords were properly looking in to it. Cracking the whips and offering concession to other policies is NO way to conduct politics – regardless of how long this has been common practice. MPs are elected to represent people, not to further there wn agendas.
I sincerely hope that the Lords reject this. At the very least I am very grateful to you for at least taking this seriously.
Lord Soley, I read your speech and was wondering about the ‘continental law’ you talk about:
Could you clarify what the continental law system is? Just a link to further reading would be enough. Thank you.
A diret link to Lord Soley’s speech within the whole debate on TheyWorkForYou is http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2008-07-08a.632.5#g724.0