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Air travel rules 'will be eased' | |
(30 minutes later) | |
Passengers should be allowed to carry more than one bag on to a plane from January as security restrictions at UK airports are eased, Gordon Brown says. | |
He also outlined measures to give better protection against terror attacks on rail stations, airports, shopping centres and sports stadiums. | |
Security minister Lord West was asked to draw up the plans in July. | Security minister Lord West was asked to draw up the plans in July. |
However, ahead of the announcement Lord West was at the centre of confusion on detention limits for terror suspects. | However, ahead of the announcement Lord West was at the centre of confusion on detention limits for terror suspects. |
He told the BBC initially he was not convinced about extending the limit beyond 28 days - but then said he was convinced, after talks in No 10. | He told the BBC initially he was not convinced about extending the limit beyond 28 days - but then said he was convinced, after talks in No 10. |
During the Today programme interview at 0820, former Admiral Lord West said he still needed "to be fully convinced that we absolutely need more than 28 days". | During the Today programme interview at 0820, former Admiral Lord West said he still needed "to be fully convinced that we absolutely need more than 28 days". |
'Complex plots' | 'Complex plots' |
"I want to be totally convinced because I am not going to go and push for something that actually affects the liberty of the individual unless there is a real necessity for it." | "I want to be totally convinced because I am not going to go and push for something that actually affects the liberty of the individual unless there is a real necessity for it." |
But then at 0930, after a half-hour meeting with Mr Brown, the peer told the BBC he was "personally convinced" that the 28-day limit needed extending. | But then at 0930, after a half-hour meeting with Mr Brown, the peer told the BBC he was "personally convinced" that the 28-day limit needed extending. |
There is no doubt there are very real threats, that the design in the past of certain buildings and certain places does not make it easy to counter a terrorist attack on them Lord WestSecurity Minister | There is no doubt there are very real threats, that the design in the past of certain buildings and certain places does not make it easy to counter a terrorist attack on them Lord WestSecurity Minister |
"I personally, absolutely believe that within the next two or three years we will require more than that for one of those complex plots," he said. | "I personally, absolutely believe that within the next two or three years we will require more than that for one of those complex plots," he said. |
He later issued a statement in an attempt to clarify his position saying: "I am quite clear that the greater complexities of terrorist plots will mean that we will need the power to detain certain individuals for more than 28 days." | He later issued a statement in an attempt to clarify his position saying: "I am quite clear that the greater complexities of terrorist plots will mean that we will need the power to detain certain individuals for more than 28 days." |
Downing Street said Mr Brown had full confidence in the peer and denied suggestions the prime minister had influenced Lord West's second statement. | Downing Street said Mr Brown had full confidence in the peer and denied suggestions the prime minister had influenced Lord West's second statement. |
The minister later stressed that 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. | The minister later stressed that 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. |
Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour MPs plan to try to block the move to raise the limit, saying there is no evidence change is needed. | Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour MPs plan to try to block the move to raise the limit, saying there is no evidence change is needed. |
Lord West's comments came as Mr Brown outlined conclusions from the peer's review into strengthening security in crowded public areas and designing anti-terror features in new buildings and projects. | Lord West's comments came as Mr Brown outlined conclusions from the peer's review into strengthening security in crowded public areas and designing anti-terror features in new buildings and projects. |
Mr Brown was also unveiling more details of the planned border force combining immigration, customs and visa staff and a relaxation of air luggage rules. | Mr Brown was also unveiling more details of the planned border force combining immigration, customs and visa staff and a relaxation of air luggage rules. |
Ahead of the statement he said that there would be "some inconvenience in what we propose", but this needed to be balanced with protection of liberties and minimising the inconvenience to passengers in our airports. | Ahead of the statement he said that there would be "some inconvenience in what we propose", but this needed to be balanced with protection of liberties and minimising the inconvenience to passengers in our airports. |
Vigilance | Vigilance |
Lord West told Today that he started his brief "on the premise that what we mustn't do is the terrorists' job for them". | Lord West told Today that he started his brief "on the premise that what we mustn't do is the terrorists' job for them". |
"Yes, there is a great risk, we've got to be vigilant - but we need to make sure we conduct our normal way of life in terms of business, work, pleasure, all these things," he said. | "Yes, there is a great risk, we've got to be vigilant - but we need to make sure we conduct our normal way of life in terms of business, work, pleasure, all these things," he said. |
"There is no doubt there are very real threats, that the design in the past of certain buildings and certain places does not make it easy to counter a terrorist attack on them. | "There is no doubt there are very real threats, that the design in the past of certain buildings and certain places does not make it easy to counter a terrorist attack on them. |
"If a bomb goes off, we have actually built into them the shrapnel that will kill and injure people and we can actually do things to make this better. | "If a bomb goes off, we have actually built into them the shrapnel that will kill and injure people and we can actually do things to make this better. |
"We very clearly, from now on, must always make sure we design in counter terrorism measures as we do counter crime measures." | "We very clearly, from now on, must always make sure we design in counter terrorism measures as we do counter crime measures." |
'Cancer of terrorism' | 'Cancer of terrorism' |
The peer said he and his team had looked at how to protect existing buildings, by redesigning road layouts, putting in barriers and using specific types of glass. | The peer said he and his team had looked at how to protect existing buildings, by redesigning road layouts, putting in barriers and using specific types of glass. |
He said Britain "can spend the national wealth on protecting ourselves and trying to chase these criminals down". | He said Britain "can spend the national wealth on protecting ourselves and trying to chase these criminals down". |
But none of the measures would be effective without "exorcising this cancer of terrorism", by "stopping the radicalisation of our youth" - a measure the prime minister is expected to update MPs on. | But none of the measures would be effective without "exorcising this cancer of terrorism", by "stopping the radicalisation of our youth" - a measure the prime minister is expected to update MPs on. |
Details of the unified border force, first announced by Mr Brown in July, are also due to be outlined on Wednesday. | Details of the unified border force, first announced by Mr Brown in July, are also due to be outlined on Wednesday. |
A study led by the Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, considered whether it should include police officers as well as those from the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and the overseas UK Visa operations. | A study led by the Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, considered whether it should include police officers as well as those from the Border and Immigration Agency, Customs and the overseas UK Visa operations. |