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UK to get 'unified' border force UK to get 'unified' border force
(40 minutes later)
Britain is to get a "unified border force" to boost the fight against terrorism, the prime minister has said.Britain is to get a "unified border force" to boost the fight against terrorism, the prime minister has said.
A "highly visible" uniformed force would bring together immigration and Customs officers, Gordon Brown said.A "highly visible" uniformed force would bring together immigration and Customs officers, Gordon Brown said.
He also announced a review of allowing intercept evidence to be used in court, and doubling the 28 days police can question suspects before charging them.He also announced a review of allowing intercept evidence to be used in court, and doubling the 28 days police can question suspects before charging them.
The border force has been called for by the Conservatives for years, and had previously been rejected by ministers.The border force has been called for by the Conservatives for years, and had previously been rejected by ministers.
Outlining his counter-terrorism strategy to MPs, Mr Brown said the unified border force could be implemented "very quickly", adding: "Very soon people will see this uniformed presence at the ports." Officers from the Border and Immigration Agency, Revenue and Customs and UKVisas will be brought together to create a "single primary checkpoint" for passport control and customs.
Biometric visas 'Uniformed presence'
The officers would have the combined powers of immigration, customs and police officers - so would be able to detain people suspected of immigration offences, he said. The force would have powers to detain people suspected of immigration offences, Mr Brown said.
Among other measures, he said all visa applicants would require biometric visas from March 2008, and the existing "e-borders scheme" would be expanded. Outlining his counter-terrorism strategy to MPs, he said the cabinet secretary had been asked to report back by October on how to implement the proposal "very soon".
I'm delighted he has finally adopted our policy of a border police force David Cameron Analysis: Terror consensus?
Responding to the statement, Tory leader David Cameron said: "I'm delighted he has finally adopted our policy of a border police force."Responding to the statement, Tory leader David Cameron said: "I'm delighted he has finally adopted our policy of a border police force."
On pre-charge detention, Mr Brown said the government would consult on whether to extend it beyond 28 days, saying one option would be to extend it by a further 28 days, but subject to parliamentary scrutiny and a judge's approval. Mr Brown also said he wanted stronger measures to stop terrorism suspects arriving in the first place, through electronic screening of all passengers checking in and out of the UK.
"I detect a growing weight of opinion including from Lord Carlile the independent reviewer of anti terrorism legislation that there may be some circumstances in which detention beyond 28 days could be necessary," he said. He said all visa applicants would require biometric visas from March 2008 and the existing "e-borders scheme" would be expanded.
He added the circumstances might be "where the police have to intervene early to avert an attack" or "where there may be huge quantities of material evidence to be analysed" and help from other countries is needed. Detention limits
And he said 4,000 foreign prisoners are likely to be deported this year.
An "all-party consensus" on the use of intercept evidence in court and questioning of suspects after they have been charged would be sought.
Mr Brown also said he would consult on whether to extend beyond 28 days the period suspects can be held before they are charged - possibly up to 56 days, subject to a judge's approval and parliamentary scrutiny.
An attempt to extend the period to 90 days in 2005, ended with Tony Blair's first Commons defeat as prime minister.
I think it is a complete and utter nonsense, this idea that Parliament could act as a court Nick CleggLib Dems Who guards UK borders? Q&A: Anti-terror laws
On Tuesday, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "the time is now right" to reconsider extending it beyond the current limit - due to the complexity of some plots.
But the Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour backbenchers have opposed attempts to extend the 28-day limit.
Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg, told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme that the proposal for there to be Parliamentary oversight of any extension would not work.
"I think it is a complete and utter nonsense, this idea that Parliament could act as a court, basically intervening in individual prosecutions, which is what seems to be the case," he said.
"What is Parliament supposed to do when the police are detaining someone without charge? They won't be given privy to all the information so I'm afraid I think a lot of that is a bit of a fig leaf."
Other proposals announced include:
  • A new system of electronic exit controls at UK borders from 2009, so that passports can be checked against the "warnings index" in real time.
  • From March 2008 biometric visas to be extended to all visa applicants
  • A review of how to best protect crowded places, buildings and national infrastructure such as roads, railways, tunnels, bridges, water systems and utilities
  • UK watchlist of suspects to be linked to the Interpol database of lost and stolen documents
  • £70m to help local councils and community groups with citizenship projects aimed at combating extremism
  • Consultation on tightening bail conditions and travel restrictions on terrorism suspects
    • Mr Brown told MPs there had been 15 attempted terrorist attacks on Britain since 2001 and 30 people had been convicted so far this year.Mr Brown told MPs there had been 15 attempted terrorist attacks on Britain since 2001 and 30 people had been convicted so far this year.
    He said 900 shopping centres, sports centres and other venues where large numbers of people congregate had been assessed by counter-terrorism advisers.He said 900 shopping centres, sports centres and other venues where large numbers of people congregate had been assessed by counter-terrorism advisers.
    And he said "additional protection" was needed for utility sites, crowded places and the national infrastructure, from roads and the railway to waterways.And he said "additional protection" was needed for utility sites, crowded places and the national infrastructure, from roads and the railway to waterways.
    Reviews on security measures at such sites would be on-going over the summer, he added.Reviews on security measures at such sites would be on-going over the summer, he added.