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/7094438.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| West denies terror limit U-turn | West denies terror limit U-turn |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Security minister Lord West has denied being forced to change his mind on extending terror detention limits. | Security minister Lord West has denied being forced to change his mind on extending terror detention limits. |
| Lord West told the BBC at 0820 he had yet to be convinced of the need to extend the 28 day limit, a view at odds to most recent ministerial comments. | Lord West told the BBC at 0820 he had yet to be convinced of the need to extend the 28 day limit, a view at odds to most recent ministerial comments. |
| Just over an hour later, after a visit to Downing Street, he told the BBC that he was actually convinced of the case. | Just over an hour later, after a visit to Downing Street, he told the BBC that he was actually convinced of the case. |
| He later insisted he had not changed his mind, saying as a "simple sailor" he had not chosen his words well. | He later insisted he had not changed his mind, saying as a "simple sailor" he had not chosen his words well. |
| Lord West's comments came as Mr Brown prepared to outline the conclusions of 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 prepared to outline the conclusions of the peer's review into strengthening security in crowded public areas and designing anti-terror features in new buildings and projects. |
| Convinced or not? | Convinced or not? |
| During the Today programme interview 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 former Admiral Lord West said he still needed "to be fully convinced that we absolutely need more than 28 days". |
| I haven't changed my position. Maybe being a simple sailor and not a politician I didn't choose my words very well Lord West | I haven't changed my position. Maybe being a simple sailor and not a politician I didn't choose my words very well Lord West |
| "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. |
| "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." |
| Judicial oversight | Judicial oversight |
| Mr Brown's official spokesman said: "Lord West set out his position clearly in the second statement. | Mr Brown's official spokesman said: "Lord West set out his position clearly in the second statement. |
| "On the Today programme interview he made a number of points, including that there was a case to go beyond 28 days." | "On the Today programme interview he made a number of points, including that there was a case to go beyond 28 days." |
| Uncertain, yet to be convinced? You need half an hour with Gordon BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full | Uncertain, yet to be convinced? You need half an hour with Gordon BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full |
| He confirmed that Lord West had met the prime minister in between the two comments, but denied any suggestion that Mr Brown had influenced Lord West's second statement. | He confirmed that Lord West had met the prime minister in between the two comments, but denied any suggestion that Mr Brown had influenced Lord West's second statement. |
| He said the prime minister and the government's position was that there "is a case for extending beyond 28 days" but this has to be given judicial oversight. | He said the prime minister and the government's position was that there "is a case for extending beyond 28 days" but this has to be given judicial oversight. |
| 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. |
| During Mr Brown's terrorism statement, Conservative leader David Cameron said Lord West appeared to have been "leant on". | |
| And Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said Lord West's apparent u-turn was a "kind of Keystone Cops politics, frankly". | And Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said Lord West's apparent u-turn was a "kind of Keystone Cops politics, frankly". |