It is our complacency that lets them get away with it – our...

By only

Thursday July 10, 2008

It is our complacency that lets them get away with it – our apathy we must fear. Are we so threatened that we must uniquely introduce the most illiberal precautions? The United States feels itself at war, but has an absolute limit of two days of pre-charge detention.

In Ireland, at the height of the IRA terror campaign, the limit was seven days. Australia, 60 miles from the most populous Muslim nation and the victim of its own bomb horrors, only has 12 days. Spain, France, Germany, Russia – all victims of terror, yet none detain longer than seven days.

What is wrong with us? Have we lost our confidence, our stoicism, our bravery and dignity – our sang froid?

Bob Geldof doesn’t like Britain’s proposed 42 Day Imprisonment without charge either. [Telegraph]