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Stop and quiz powers considered Stop and quiz powers considered
(about 1 hour later)
The government is considering giving police officers across the UK "stop and question" powers under new anti-terror laws, says the Home Office.The government is considering giving police officers across the UK "stop and question" powers under new anti-terror laws, says the Home Office.
The proposal, allowing police to ask people about their identity and movement, is among measures being considered by Home Secretary John Reid.The proposal, allowing police to ask people about their identity and movement, is among measures being considered by Home Secretary John Reid.
The measure is so far used only in Northern Ireland.The measure is so far used only in Northern Ireland.
Police elsewhere have to have "reasonable suspicion" a crime has been committed before they can stop people.Police elsewhere have to have "reasonable suspicion" a crime has been committed before they can stop people.
Anyone who refuses to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000, according to the Sunday Times.Anyone who refuses to co-operate could be charged with obstructing the police and fined up to £5,000, according to the Sunday Times.
'Alienated Muslims' Alienated Muslims
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland minister, warned that Britain must take care that its anti-terror legislation does not alienate whole communities, such as Muslims. Critics including civil liberties campaigners, Muslim groups, opposition parties and Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain expressed their concerns about the effectiveness of the proposals.
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, warned that Britain must take care that its anti-terror legislation does not alienate whole communities, such as Muslims.
If he [a foreign national] abuses our hospitality and threatens us, I feel he should take his chance back in his own home country Tony Blair
The deputy Labour leadership contender told BBC1's Sunday AM programme: "We've got to be very careful that we don't create the domestic equivalent of Guantanamo Bay, which was an international abuse of human rights, acted as a recruiting sergeant for dissidents and alienated Muslims and many other people across the world."The deputy Labour leadership contender told BBC1's Sunday AM programme: "We've got to be very careful that we don't create the domestic equivalent of Guantanamo Bay, which was an international abuse of human rights, acted as a recruiting sergeant for dissidents and alienated Muslims and many other people across the world."
He also warned that any new legislation should not replicate the old "sus" laws that permitted a police officer to act on suspicion, or "sus".
Under these laws mostly black people and ethnic minorities were stopped on sight and that "created a really bad atmosphere and an erosion of civil liberties", said Mr Hain.
He would wait to see the details of the proposals but insisted they should be clear in balancing civil liberties with protecting people's security.He would wait to see the details of the proposals but insisted they should be clear in balancing civil liberties with protecting people's security.
'Popular consent''Popular consent'
William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, told the same programme that the Conservatives would consider the proposals on merit when the government explained what they were and why they were needed. William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, told the same programme that the Conservatives would consider the proposals on merit.
"If they are measures that are truly necessary to combat terrorism...then we will support them but these things should be done on a basis of trying to get some consensus across political parties," said Mr Hague."If they are measures that are truly necessary to combat terrorism...then we will support them but these things should be done on a basis of trying to get some consensus across political parties," said Mr Hague.
The ex-Tory leader warned that the proposals must be "consistent with popular consent" and not "alienate the people we need in the fight against terrorism".The ex-Tory leader warned that the proposals must be "consistent with popular consent" and not "alienate the people we need in the fight against terrorism".
Support from Downing Street and the police was not enough to win Conservative support for the measures, he added. HAVE YOUR SAY As a law-abiding citizen I should be able to walk down the street without interference Paul, Cambridge class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6441&edition=1&ttl=20070527084043">Send us your comments
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg accused the government of seeking a "police state" and warned it would only increase radicalism.
Ahmed Versi, editor of Muslim News, a newspaper for British Muslims, warned that extending police powers would be "counter-productive" to improving relations with Muslims and could drive some towards extremists.
Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said it was essential to separate security issues from the "politics of fear" and warned that ethnic minorities, especially Muslims, were already more likely to be stopped by police.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are considering a range of measures for the Bill and 'stop and question' is one of them."A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We are considering a range of measures for the Bill and 'stop and question' is one of them."
'National security''National security'
When it emerged on Thursday that three men suspected of wanting to kill UK troops had disappeared, Mr Reid criticised his political opponents and judges for stopping the use of tougher measures against terror suspects.When it emerged on Thursday that three men suspected of wanting to kill UK troops had disappeared, Mr Reid criticised his political opponents and judges for stopping the use of tougher measures against terror suspects.
He promised new anti-terror measures within weeks which he said he hoped there would be "less party politics" and more about the concern "for national security". He promised new anti-terror measures and told MPs that the government could consider suspending some parts of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) so it can impose tougher control orders.
Mr Reid told the Commons that the government could consider suspending some parts of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) so it can impose tougher control orders.
Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised Shami Chakrabarti Director of Liberty Should police have more powers?Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised Shami Chakrabarti Director of Liberty Should police have more powers?
The Home Office would not comment on suggestions the new laws were to be rushed through before Tony Blair steps down as prime minister on 27 June.The Home Office would not comment on suggestions the new laws were to be rushed through before Tony Blair steps down as prime minister on 27 June.
Greater powers to remove vehicles and paperwork for inspection are also believed to be part of the measures.Greater powers to remove vehicles and paperwork for inspection are also believed to be part of the measures.
Writing separately in the Sunday Times, Mr Blair said the disappearance of the three suspects under control orders was a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror.Writing separately in the Sunday Times, Mr Blair said the disappearance of the three suspects under control orders was a symptom of a society which put civil liberties before fighting terror.
The prime minister described this as "misguided and wrong" and said prioritising a terror suspect's right to traditional civil liberties was "a dangerous misjudgement".The prime minister described this as "misguided and wrong" and said prioritising a terror suspect's right to traditional civil liberties was "a dangerous misjudgement".
He said: "If a foreign national comes here, and may be at risk in his own country, we should treat him well. But if he then abuses our hospitality and threatens us, I feel he should take his chance back in his own home country."He said: "If a foreign national comes here, and may be at risk in his own country, we should treat him well. But if he then abuses our hospitality and threatens us, I feel he should take his chance back in his own home country."
'Political machismo''Political machismo'
The Sunday Times claims police minister Tony McNulty told Mr Blair the new "stop and question" measures would be "very useful UK wide".The Sunday Times claims police minister Tony McNulty told Mr Blair the new "stop and question" measures would be "very useful UK wide".
It quoted a letter sent to the prime minister which said the measures would be "a less intrusive power" than stop and search, which are widely seen as unpopular with the public.It quoted a letter sent to the prime minister which said the measures would be "a less intrusive power" than stop and search, which are widely seen as unpopular with the public.
However, the former commander of the Flying Squad, John O'Connor, told BBC Radio's Five Live: "I think it's going to lead to great divisions in society and I think there's going to be accusations that they will be targeting, in particular, young Pakistani, young Muslim men, and I think that's going to be a huge problem," he said.
Campaign group Liberty also criticised the proposals and said the police should not have powers to question people "willy-nilly".Campaign group Liberty also criticised the proposals and said the police should not have powers to question people "willy-nilly".
Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "This looks like political machismo, a legacy moment.Director Shami Chakrabarti said: "This looks like political machismo, a legacy moment.
"Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised.""Stopping and questioning anyone you like will backfire because people will be being criminalised."
Jane Winter, director of British-Irish Rights Watch, told the Sunday Times the government was using "a sledgehammer to crack a nut".