Debate on 28 days renewal order for terrorist suspects
10 July 2009 (updated on 22 April 2010)
David Hanson, Minister for Policing, Crime and Counter-Terrorism, introduced a motion in the Commons which called for the approval of a draft affirmative order relating to the Terrorism Act 2006. The order was approved
- Commons Hansard: Affirmative order: Terrorism Act 2006: Annual Renewal of 28 Days (2009)
- Video and Audio: Terrorism Act 2006: Annual Renewal of 28 Days (2009)
- Joint Committee on Human Rights: Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights: Annual Renewal of 28 Days 2009
- Topical issues: Terrorism
The Act gives the police the power to detain without charge for up to 28 days a person arrested on suspicion of being a terrorist. However this 28-day period has to be renewed annually and, unless what is known as an affirmative order is passed, the maximum period of pre-charge detention is reduced to 14 days.
To go through affirmative procedure refers to the process by which statutory instruments must be approved by both Houses to become law. Conversely negative procedure refers to statutory instruments which automatically become law unless there is an objection from either House.