Downing Street Says » Anti-Terrorism Act/"M"

Asked for a reaction to the Court of Appeal judgement today overturning the appeal by the Home Secretary against SIAC’s ruling to release “M” from Belmarsh, the PMOS said that we accepted the judgement. He pointed out that twelve out of thirteen appeals had been won by the Government. “M” was obviously the exception. That rounded picture showed that the law had been worthwhile and useful and that the Home Secretary had used his powers appropriately and proportionately. When these powers had been enacted, we had wanted to ensure that there was a robust system which would allow for due legal scrutiny of the decisions and certifications made by the Home Secretary. That was why the courts had been given the power to overturn the decisions made by him. That had obviously happened today and we accepted it.

Asked if the Prime Minister believed that “M” remained a danger to the UK, the PMOS said that he had no intention of commenting on individual cases. A judgement had been made today and we accepted it. Pressed as to whether there was an increased security threat in the light of the ruling, the PMOS repeated that we accepted the judgement. The level of interest and due concern expressed by certain quarters in Westminster at the time the powers had been taken supported our view from the outset that courts should have the power to scrutinise the Home Secretary’s decisions. Asked if the Government continued to stand by its opinion that “M” posed a security risk to the UK, the PMOS repeated that he was not going to comment on individual cases. Positions were set out in court by both sides and judgements were reached by those who were given responsibility to make them. That was what had happened today.

2 Comments »

How is Mr Blunkett able to make a public appeal case to a private committee he set up. And how was that public appeal then made private?

I don’t pretend to fully understand the law here but I am confused about that
Comment by Ste — 19 Mar 2004 on 2:51 pm | Link
Sho Moneypenny, they finally let ‘M’ out. Any word on ‘Q’ yet?
Comment by Backword Dave — 19 Mar 2004 on 6:26 pm | Link

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» Thursday, March 18, 2004

Anti-Terrorism Act/"M"

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