This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7093752.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Travel terror security stepped up Travel terror security stepped up
(about 1 hour later)
Security will be stepped up at railway stations, airports and ports as part of government attempts to tackle terrorism, Gordon Brown has announced.Security will be stepped up at railway stations, airports and ports as part of government attempts to tackle terrorism, Gordon Brown has announced.
There will be new security barriers, vehicle exclusion zones and blast resistant buildings, but air passengers will be allowed more luggage from 2008.There will be new security barriers, vehicle exclusion zones and blast resistant buildings, but air passengers will be allowed more luggage from 2008.
Rail travellers at large stations will also face having their bags screened.Rail travellers at large stations will also face having their bags screened.
The PM's statement came amid confusion over his security minister's views on detention limits for terror suspects.The PM's statement came amid confusion over his security minister's views on detention limits for terror suspects.
There is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities Gordon Brown Air bag rules eased West denies terror U-turnThere is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities Gordon Brown Air bag rules eased West denies terror U-turn
In his wide-ranging Commons statement on national security, Mr Brown said that the failed bomb attacks in London and Glasgow Airport in June showed that Britain needed to ensure young people are not "radicalised" by extremists, in addition to raising military and security counter-terrorism measures. In his wide-ranging Commons statement on national security, Mr Brown said that the failed bomb attacks in London and Glasgow Airport in June showed the need to ensure young people are not "radicalised" by extremists.
He outlined the creation of a new unit bringing together police and security intelligence to look not only at the "inner circle" of extremists but also at those at risk of falling under their influence.He outlined the creation of a new unit bringing together police and security intelligence to look not only at the "inner circle" of extremists but also at those at risk of falling under their influence.
He said no "major failures in our protective security" had been uncovered in a review led by Lord West. The bulk of the statement covered security at public places such as transport hubs, which had been the subject of a review by ex-Admiral and current security minister Lord West.
Cabin baggage class="bodl" href="#graphic">Graphic: Anti-terror measures for public buildings
But he said improved security would be installed at the country's 250 busiest railway stations, as well as airports, ports and more than 100 other sensitive locations. Mr Brown said improved security would be installed at the country's 250 busiest railway stations, as well as airports, ports and more than 100 other sensitive locations.
"Additional screening" of baggage and passenger searches are planned at some large railway stations and other "sensitive locations", he said.
Guidance would be sent to thousands of cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hotels, sporting venues and commercial centres, as well as all hospitals, schools and places of worship to advise them on how to keep visitors safe against terrorism.Guidance would be sent to thousands of cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hotels, sporting venues and commercial centres, as well as all hospitals, schools and places of worship to advise them on how to keep visitors safe against terrorism.
Maybe being a simple sailor and not a politician I didn't choose my words very well Lord WestSecurity minister In full: Brown's statementMaybe being a simple sailor and not a politician I didn't choose my words very well Lord WestSecurity minister In full: Brown's statement
Companies responsible for crowded places would be given updated advice on how they can improve resilience against attack. Ministers would work with architects and planners to encourage them to "design-in" better security measures in new buildings, such as blast resistant material, safe areas and traffic control measures.
Companies responsible for crowded places would be given updated advice on how they could improve resilience against attack, he said.
About 160 counter-terrorism advisers will train civilian staff to watch out for suspect activity, ensure premises have adequate emergency facilities and make best use of their CCTV footage.About 160 counter-terrorism advisers will train civilian staff to watch out for suspect activity, ensure premises have adequate emergency facilities and make best use of their CCTV footage.
But Mr Brown said from 7 January airports would be able to seek permission to let passengers take more than one item of hand luggage on flights. Security budget
Improved facilities to screen baggage would allow airports to seek approval from 7 January to let passengers take more than one item of hand luggage on flights.
However, size restrictions on liquids and cabin luggage would remain.However, size restrictions on liquids and cabin luggage would remain.
The security budget, currently £2.5bn this year, will rise to £3.5bn in 2011, he said and the security service will double in size from 2001, when it had less than 2,000 staff - to more than 4,000.
HAVE YOUR SAY The government is simply using the terrorist threat as an excuse to use heavy-handed tactics David Hazel, Fareham Send us your comments
He said tougher measures to deal with convicted terrorists would be included in the upcoming Counter Terrorism Bill and a new unit will be set up in the Charity Commission, to make sure charities are not exploited by extremists.
Talks on "repatriation arrangements" for terrorism suspects, already agreed with Jordan, Lebanon and Algeria, were underway with "a number of additional countries," he said.
The prime minister also outlined measures to counter the influence of radical fundamentalists in Britain's schools, universities, mosques, youth clubs and prisons, as well as on the internet.The prime minister also outlined measures to counter the influence of radical fundamentalists in Britain's schools, universities, mosques, youth clubs and prisons, as well as on the internet.
28 days Strong relationships
HAVE YOUR SAY I couldn't care less about terrorism or the terrorist threat. If you go about your life worrying about it or re-arranging your life because of it, then the terrorists have won and you are doing your job for them. Andy Williams, Holyhead Send us your comments
He said a new forum of headteachers would be convened to find ways to protect pupils from extremist propaganda.He said a new forum of headteachers would be convened to find ways to protect pupils from extremist propaganda.
"There is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities," Mr Brown told MPs."There is no greater priority than the safety and security of our people and building the strongest possible relationships across all faiths and communities," Mr Brown told MPs.
"And I believe it possible to build a stronger consensus that will both root out terrorist extremism and build more vibrant and cohesive communities." As a nation we need the hard-nosed defence of our liberties David Cameron
Mr Brown's statement came amid a growing furore over Lord West's comments. He also said a review of the use of intercept evidence in court cases - currently banned - would report back in January and he believed there was a "consensus" on allowing terrorist suspects to be questioned after they are charged.
He initially told the BBC at 0820 on Wednesday he was not convinced about extending the limit beyond 28 days - in apparent contradiction of recent ministerial comments. Consultation with parties and communities was beginning on the controversial issue of holding terrorism suspects beyond 28 days without charge - which is opposed by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
But then an hour later, after talks in No 10 with the prime minister, he told the BBC that he was convinced of the need to extend the limit. Mr Brown, whose security minister Lord West had earlier had to backtrack after saying he was not convinced about extending the 28 day limit, said he believed it was possible to get a cross-party consensus.
The peer later insisted he had not changed his position. "Maybe being a simple sailor and not a politician I didn't choose my words very well," he said. Community confidence
But Conservative leader David Cameron said it looked as if Lord West had been "leant on" by Mr Brown. In his response, Tory leader David Cameron said there had been "a number of good ideas", and said the terrorist threat was now of "a completely different order" to that faced in the past.
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg called the chain of events "Keystone Cops politics". But he said: "As a nation we need the hard-nosed defence of our liberties."
Introducing post-charge questioning and using intercept evidence should relieve the need to extend pre-charge detention beyond 28-days, he argued.
And acting Lib Dem leader Vincent Cable said: "Our main concern remains the issue of pre-charge detention.
"This is not a separate issue from the issue about which you spoke at length, which is the issue of confidence in the minority communities, because this is an issue of great concern to them.
"There already is a substantial degree of consensus - that we should not proceed beyond the present 28 days."
KEY ANTI-TERROR MEASURES FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS Illustrative only
Return to the top