Wrong use of terror laws

Published on Monday 20 October 2008 21:59

It is unfortunate that the British government froze nearly £4 billion in UK financial assets held by the failed Icelandic bank Landsbanki by exercising its powers under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. This legislation should not have been used when there is no evidence whatsoever that the bank holds funds belonging to terrorists.

Anti-terrorist legislation itself often breaches the civil liberties and freedoms that we, as a society, hold dear. Using such legislation when there is no suggestion that there is any terrorist threat undermines the trust the public might have placed in our government.

Similar anti-terrorist legislation was used to remove Walter Wolfgang from the Labour Party conference in 2005 when he heckled Jack Straw. If such legislation is ever used again inappropriately, then when there really is a need to introduce anti-terrorist measures, the public may view it as a trumped-up excuse to simply circumvent the rule of law and the proper legal processes. The government that ejected Mr Wolfgang from the conference hall in Brighton, like the boy who cried wolf once too often, will be devoured.

SANDY GEMMILL

Mertoun Place

Edinburgh