Controls orders 'boost terrorist'

A NOTTS MP has criticised Government powers to control terror suspects.

Speaking in the Commons, Newark MP Patrick Mercer said he thought control orders boosted terrorists' cause.

The orders allow the Government to impose controls on what people can use or possess, their place of work, place of residence, who they speak to and where they can travel.

Ex-soldier Mr Mercer, who served in Northern Ireland, was speaking as Parliament sought to renew the orders on eight people in the UK.

The Tory MP cited the policy of internment, used to fight the IRA in the 1970s.

This, he said, was "disastrous" and did little to counter terrorism. Instead, it served as a cause for the terror group to rally against and boosted recruitment.

He told MPs that control orders were "fundamentally wrong, fundamentally misapplied, fundamentally undemocratic and fundamentally help our enemies".

"If we retain the powers indefinitely and continue to treat that small number of people in that way, we will pass the most important tool that we can to our foes."

MPs approved the extension of the orders, with Labour support.

Shadow Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "It's our duty to provide the security services and police with the tools and procedures for them to do their job effectively.''

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/13274522/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CControls0Eorders0Eboost0Eterrorist0Carticle0E32955210Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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