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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK security 'dramatically' better | UK security 'dramatically' better |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There has been a "dramatic improvement" in the UK's security since Gordon Brown took over as prime minister in June, Security Minister Lord West has said. | There has been a "dramatic improvement" in the UK's security since Gordon Brown took over as prime minister in June, Security Minister Lord West has said. |
| He told the Sunday Telegraph: "I think we're ahead of all countries in the world on the protection front - which is great." | He told the Sunday Telegraph: "I think we're ahead of all countries in the world on the protection front - which is great." |
| Lord West said measures to upgrade security at airports and train stations would mean a "step change" in security. | Lord West said measures to upgrade security at airports and train stations would mean a "step change" in security. |
| But Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg accused him of "bragging". | But Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg accused him of "bragging". |
| 'Simple sailor' | 'Simple sailor' |
| Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, was appointed to the government in the summer. | Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, was appointed to the government in the summer. |
| Last week, he told the BBC that he had yet to be convinced of the need to extend the 28-day limit for holding terror suspects before charging them - a view at odds with most recent ministerial comments. First Lord West flip-flops over 28 days, then he brags about Britain's preparedness Nick Clegg,Liberal Democrats | |
| Just over an hour later, after a visit to Downing Street, he said he was actually convinced of the case, adding that as a "simple sailor" he had not chosen his words well. | Just over an hour later, after a visit to Downing Street, he said he was actually convinced of the case, adding that as a "simple sailor" he had not chosen his words well. |
| Lord West told the Sunday Telegraph he had not been "hauled in" by the prime minister for a telling off, saying he had attended Number 10 for a pre-arranged breakfast. | Lord West told the Sunday Telegraph he had not been "hauled in" by the prime minister for a telling off, saying he had attended Number 10 for a pre-arranged breakfast. |
| He went on: "The reason I think I was most upset on Wednesday was because so many people had worked so hard and achieved so much. | He went on: "The reason I think I was most upset on Wednesday was because so many people had worked so hard and achieved so much. |
| "We have really made a step change, I believe. That was the message that I was keen to let the prime minister put across and I thought I had let people down." | "We have really made a step change, I believe. That was the message that I was keen to let the prime minister put across and I thought I had let people down." |
| Mr Clegg said: "First Lord West flip-flops over 28 days, then he brags about Britain's preparedness. | Mr Clegg said: "First Lord West flip-flops over 28 days, then he brags about Britain's preparedness. |
| "This is not the way to improve public confidence in national security." | "This is not the way to improve public confidence in national security." |
| Ministers are believed to be drawing up a range of safeguards to allow terror suspects to be detained for up to 58 days. | Ministers are believed to be drawing up a range of safeguards to allow terror suspects to be detained for up to 58 days. |
| The Home Office said last week that it had "consulted widely on options". | The Home Office said last week that it had "consulted widely on options". |
| The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are both opposed to an extension of the detention limit for terror suspects. | The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are both opposed to an extension of the detention limit for terror suspects. |