I’ve always wondered how many people know about America’s relatively short period for pre-charge detention. That was one liberty the Patriot Act didn’t mess with.

Well, I’m obviously pleased about this and await more details, but it’s a bit of an about turn isn’t it?

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2005-11-09b.347.5

http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:mD0La_oFPNgJ:www.daviddavisforfreedom.com/blog+%22Why%20should%2028%20days%20be%20the%20limit?%20%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=39&gl=uk

Was he not aware, 9 months ago, of, among other things, the position in the US?

t is time the UK explained why intercept evidence here is unacceptable yet acceptable in the USA. This has the hallmark of bureaucratic covenience rather than an issue of national security.

Well, I suppose a guy is allowed to change his mind. And he has! If only the other Tories now followed suit.

Typical of the British left, always mocking Americans and their short attention spans.

Oh, sorry, misread that.

Yes, the Americans have a shorter detention span, but that’s 48 hours with Jack Bauer – I’d rather have the 42 days!

I’d love to meet the David Davis of the “Davis agenda”, the rogue liberal at the heart of the Conservatives. When I interviewed him 4 years ago before the leadership elections he was a decidedly amorphous and shady character, a bit like the Michael Howard protége we all saw in him…

Ironically I believe the gov’t stock response to using intercept evidence was a “civil liberties” concern as it endangers the privacy of innocent people and implies that they spy on us more than we think they do. They certainly know how to spin a good circle when they see it

Dan,

Was he not aware, 9 months ago, of, among other things, the position in the US?

I asked him this very question at his interview in the Freedom Zone at the Tory Conference at the end of last year. His answer was two-fold:

1) He talked to some police officers and they had maintained that they were right up against the (then) 14 day limit. Having had more time to talk to others, he now feels that 28 days is way too long.

2) He cited “real politik”. In other words, given the mood of the House, they were not going to be able to keep the detention to 14 days. He chose 28 days as a compromise: not as bad as 90 days, but enough to allay the panic.

Whether you believe him or not is up to you: I am inclined to do so.

My live-blog from the event is here….

DK