MPs examine government review of Counter-Terrorism
21 December 2010
Commons Home Affairs Committee to hear evidence from Baroness Neville-Jones and Lord Carlile of Berriew at 11am on Tuesday 21 December.
Background
Earlier this year, the Committee agreed to conduct an inquiry into counter-terrorism focusing on the issues being addressed in the course of the Government’s review of some counter-terrorism and security measures which, the Government considered, had raised particular questions about the appropriate balance between security and personal freedoms.
The review has been conducted by officials from the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism based within the Home Office; it has been largely behind ‘closed doors’ (except where groups like Liberty have published their submissions to the review); and the announcement of its outcome has been delayed significantly; amid rumours of splits within Government and between the Home Secretary and the person she appointed to provide independent oversight of the review, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald of River Glaven.
It is now expected that the outcome of the review will not be published until the New Year. The sessions will provide the Committee with an opportunity to explore issues around the process of the review and the main sticking points
Witnesses
At 11.00 am
Baroness Neville-Jones, Minister of State for Security and Government Spokesperson, Home Office
At 11.20 am
Lord Carlile of Berriew, former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation