U.K. Says Terrorists Plan Attack, Justifying New Security Laws

[rodbarnett]

Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- International terrorists are planning an attack in the U.K., possibly using a radioactive bomb or poisons, according to Home Secretary David Blunkett, who said the threat justifies giving the security forces greater powers against suspects.

``The U.K. and our interests overseas are under a high level of threat from international terrorism,'' Blunkett wrote in a paper suggesting measures such as detention without trial, and closed trials with a lowered burden of proof required for conviction. Ministers may also relax a ban on phone taps or other ``intercepted communications'' being admissible as evidence in court, he wrote.

<snip>

Prime Minister Tony Blair has also said the threat of terrorism justifies restrictions on rights of U.K. suspects. Human rights groups including Liberty have claimed that Blunkett's plans undermine fundamental legal freedoms and may lead to wrongful convictions.

Blunkett, however, said measuring infringing on some legal rights may help stop suicide bombers. ``Those for whom prosecution and punishment hold no fear and who are prepared to take their own lives in destroying others do not recognise the normal processes of law,'' he wrote.

Terrorists are seeking the means to carry out an attack with a so-called ``dirty bomb,'' which uses conventional explosives to scatter radioactive material, or other ``mass casualty attacks'' using poisons, the Home Office report said.

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000102&sid=a9sNu3trxDZk&refer=uk

comment : uk version of patriot act?

[htuttle]

1. Ok. Does ANYBODY believe a single word they say anymore?

That's a big problem. Their credibility, that is.

I think that both the Bush and Blair governments might as well just resign right now, since nobody is taking anything they say seriously anymore. They aren't going to get squat done the way things are now.

[el_gato]

2. war on freedom

fucking maggots