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Proceeding contribution from Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 8 July 2010. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Terrorism Act 2000 (Section 44).


Terrorism Act 2000 (Section 44)

I welcome the Home Secretary's statement today. The European Court judgment was clear; the previous Government's attempt to appeal against it has failed; and she has acted properly in the decision that she has announced today. Does the earlier draft of the Home Secretary's statement that has gone into circulation and that referred to Northern Ireland, particularly to the approach to the parades season, in any way corroborate the suspicion that these powers have been used as a matter of convenience by the police on matters that are not directly a situation where terrorism is suspected? [Interruption.] A draft has gone into circulation somehow that made reference to Northern Ireland and the approach to the marching season. I do not know whether the Home Secretary is aware of that, but certainly I and others received that draft. That feeds the suspicion that the power has been used more generally. Does she agree that section 44 was a misjudgment in legislation which has led in some cases to a misapplication of law enforcement?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
513 c545-6 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Counter-terrorism Police Powers Stop and search Vehicles
Legislation
Terrorism Act 2000
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk