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Control order powers win renewal | Control order powers win renewal |
(30 minutes later) | |
Powers to impose control orders on terrorist suspects have been renewed for another year in the Commons. | Powers to impose control orders on terrorist suspects have been renewed for another year in the Commons. |
The orders, giving ministers the ability to put individuals under close supervision, came into force in 2005. | The orders, giving ministers the ability to put individuals under close supervision, came into force in 2005. |
The introduction came after Law Lords ruled holding suspects in jail without charge breached human rights but critics question the effectiveness. | The introduction came after Law Lords ruled holding suspects in jail without charge breached human rights but critics question the effectiveness. |
Conservatives voted with the government "with reluctance" and the Liberal Democrats opposed the renewal. | Conservatives voted with the government "with reluctance" and the Liberal Democrats opposed the renewal. |
The Commons voting was 322 to 61. Peers will now debate the annual renewal. | The Commons voting was 322 to 61. Peers will now debate the annual renewal. |
Control orders were seen by the Home Office as a way of dealing with people it suspected of terrorism but could not prosecute or deport. | Control orders were seen by the Home Office as a way of dealing with people it suspected of terrorism but could not prosecute or deport. |
This might be because their evidence relied on measures such as phone taps - counted as inadmissible by the courts - or because the individuals came from countries where they might face torture if deported. | This might be because their evidence relied on measures such as phone taps - counted as inadmissible by the courts - or because the individuals came from countries where they might face torture if deported. |
The independent reviewer of the system recently concluded control orders should be used as a "last resort" and only temporarily but were a "justifiable and proportional safety valve" for the protection of society. | |
Tory warning | Tory warning |
There are currently 18 terror suspects on control orders but since the summer three cases of absconding have come to notice. | There are currently 18 terror suspects on control orders but since the summer three cases of absconding have come to notice. |
In a Commons debate before the vote, security minister Tony McNulty acknowledged control orders could not be "100% effective" but said the measures had been weakened by legal challenges. | In a Commons debate before the vote, security minister Tony McNulty acknowledged control orders could not be "100% effective" but said the measures had been weakened by legal challenges. |
But he said: "Without control orders these individuals would be free to continue to engage in terrorist-related activity". | But he said: "Without control orders these individuals would be free to continue to engage in terrorist-related activity". |
Shadow homeland security minister Patrick Mercer described the system as a "shambles". | Shadow homeland security minister Patrick Mercer described the system as a "shambles". |
"We have got to bring this system to an end. We've got to end this injustice and we've got to take dangerous and subversive people off our streets," he said. | "We have got to bring this system to an end. We've got to end this injustice and we've got to take dangerous and subversive people off our streets," he said. |
The power to impose such an order should reside with the court, not the home secretary Nick Clegg, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman | The power to impose such an order should reside with the court, not the home secretary Nick Clegg, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman |
"This system does not allow that to happen." | "This system does not allow that to happen." |
He pledged support but said: "We will not be able to sustain this position, this time next year." | He pledged support but said: "We will not be able to sustain this position, this time next year." |
Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said control orders were "imperfect and in need of extensive revision". | Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said control orders were "imperfect and in need of extensive revision". |
"The power to impose such an order should reside with the court, not the home secretary," he said. | "The power to impose such an order should reside with the court, not the home secretary," he said. |
"They should be strictly time limited and subject to regular and thorough reviews." | "They should be strictly time limited and subject to regular and thorough reviews." |
Labour MP and former home office minister Fiona MacTaggart suggested the UK risked bringing itself into "international disrepute" over control orders. | Labour MP and former home office minister Fiona MacTaggart suggested the UK risked bringing itself into "international disrepute" over control orders. |