UK's extension of 'terror' detentions criticised

Gordon Brown’s controversial proposals to extend pre-charge detention for terror suspects were hit with a fresh blow today when former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said he had seen no evidence to justify going beyond 28 days.

The peer, who left the government in the summer, also confirmed he had privately opposed Tony Blair’s attempts to introduce a 90-day limit – and would have quit had they been approved by Parliament.

Lord Goldsmith told MPs: “I am sure the reasons for making proposals are based on a genuine belief that it is the right thing to do in protecting the country.

“I do not take the view that, if the proposal was to extend to 56 days, that that is justified by the evidence.”

Mr Blair’s attempt to introduce a 90-limit led to his first Commons defeat. Parliament instead agreed a compromise deal to double the limit from 14 to 28 days.

His successor is determined to get an extension to the limit although he has yet to specify by how many days.

Lord Goldsmith told the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is investigating Britain’s terror laws: “If the 90-day proposal had come from the Commons unamended, I would have found it impossible to vote for it in the Lords.”

That would have had inevitable consequences for his position in the government, he said.

Lord Goldsmith said that his position had been “well known” within the government but that he had never made an explicit threat to resign over the issue.

The committee held a private briefing earlier today at which MI5 director-general Johnathan Evans detailed the present terror threat facing the UK.

Lord Goldsmith said that, while he had seen no evidence to support going beyond 28 days during his time in office, new evidence might have emerged since then to back the case.