UK Home Secretary not rushing counter-terror laws after London bombings News
UK Home Secretary not rushing counter-terror laws after London bombings

[JURIST] UK Home Office [official website] Secretary Charles Clarke [official profile] is sticking to his late fall timetable to introduce a new bill to combat terrorism despite pressure to push through laws now [JURIST report] in the aftermath of the London bombings. Clarke has said the bill will impose sanctions on individuals caught preparing terrorist acts. Other subjects that may be covered in the bill include phone tapping and a lesser standard of proof before suspects are arrested, but Clarke has not confirmed that these will be part of the legislation and an aide has said it will be more focused on "technical adjustments" requested by intelligence agencies. Government ministers believe that the bombings will foster a more accepting atmosphere for "control orders" imposed by Clarke [JURIST report] which allow suspects to be placed under house arrest, and will also decrease opposition to the national ID card proposal [Home Office backgrounder] to tackle illegal immigration and identity fraud. The Financial Times has more.