JURIST - Paper Chase: Blair set to compromise on detention provision in anti-terror bill

[JURIST] UK Prime Minister Tony Blair [official website; JURIST news archive] has reportedly decided to compromise on a provision of the government's proposed anti-terror bill [official text] that allows police to detain a suspect for up to 90 days without charge, according to British media sources Sunday. Blair narrowly avoided an amendment [JURIST report] to the draft bill last week that would have added the element of "intent" to the proposed crime of inciting terrorism. Though Blair insists he still believes in the 90-day detention provision, he is said to have conceded that the current political climate requires him to compromise or risk losing the statute altogether. The compromise will likely scale back the detention period to 28 days, twice the fourteen day limit currently allowed. It is also reported that Blair will offer concessions this week on plans to criminalize religious hatred after the House of Lords sent back a controversial Commons bill with significant amendments [JURIST report] at the end of October. The anti-terror bill was proposed [JURIST report] earlier this year in response to the July London bombings [JURIST news archive]. The UK Observer has more.

For a one-stop snapshot of the latest legal news that matters, with breaking documents, new legal videos, live law-related webcasts, commentary by expert law professors and more - all updated through the day in real time, with no ads and no registration barriers - visit JURIST's homepage and check back often...