Cllr Russell Field has expressed his disappointment that Parliament has agreed to extend pre-charge detention for terror suspects to 42 days, with the votes of the Democratic Unionist party.

Russell said, “The government has not yet made the case for 28 day detention, why is this needed?  They are playing games with civil liberties and it is not acceptable.   It is crazy that in the UK people can be detained for 6 weeks without charge when France, Spain, Germany, Russia and the United States do not see the need for such laws in their countries.”

Russell has welcomed David Davies’s decision to resign and fight a by-election and that Nick Clegg has pledged not to oppose him on this occasion.  He said, “It will help keep this issue in public view and make sure the public are fully aware of what is at stake here.  If it is acceptable to hold terrorists for 42 days, why not allow it for all major crimes?  Passing extremist laws only encourages extremism around the world.”