UK Lords rule against anti-terror laws

The indefinite detention without trial of foreign nationals in Britain under emergency terror laws is incompatible with European human rights laws, the UK's Law Lords ruled today.

The decision, which comes as a final blow to former British Home Secretary David Blunkett, throws the UK government’s anti-terror regime into a state of chaos.

Nine men held under the controversial Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act - introduced by Mr Blunkett in response to the September 11 2001 attacks on New York and Washington – took their battle to the House of Lords after the Court of Appeal backed the British Home Office’s powers to detain them without limit or charge.

A specially-convened committee of nine Law Lords – who ruled 8-1 in favour of the detainees – had heard argument that detaining people indefinitely on suspicion alone contravened democratic rights and international obligations.