BLAIR IN PUSH ON TERROR
Blair in push on terror
By Desmond McCartan and Martina Purdy
PM's bid to rush in law
AN emergency measure to jail suspected terrorist hardliners on the word of a police officer is set to become law next week.
The move was being confirmed by Prime Minister. Tony Blair, during a return visit this afternoon to Belfast and Omagh.
Mr Blair, making his second trip since the Omagh bomb outrage. was also disclosing that MPs and Peers are being summoned back to Westminster for an unscheduled two day sitting to approve the new law.
The measure is also expected to include changes to the right to silence.
Courts will be able to take account of silence - or a refusal by a suspect to answer specific questions - as confirming police claims a suspect belongs to an illegal organisation.
It is understood that the evidence of a senior officer, probably of Chief Superintendent rank and above, will be the basis on which the Government hopes to sweep militant republican terrorists off the streets and into prison.
The move has outraged Sinn Fein, which branded it a "massive over-reaction" with "grave implications" for the community.
Mr Blair was arriving in Omagh from France where he announced a multi-billion pound British Airways order for new aircraft from Airbus Industries.
Mr Blair, accompanied by London officials, will stay overnight in Hillsborough Castle before going to Dublin tomorrow for talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The Prime Minister, will have discussions with political leaders, including the First and Deputy First Ministers. David Trimble and Seamus Mallon.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, has been consulted about the impact on the conduct of court cases.
Some MPs are set to voice worries on civil liberties grounds that the new law could have a more sweeping effect.
The Government is making clear that despite unionist demands it is not intending to reintroduce the power of internment which was removed from the statute books around six months ago.
Broad support for the Government came today from Michael Ancram. the Tory Deputy Chairman and former NIO Minister who welcomed the recall of Parliament.
He warned against "gimmickry." "It mustn't just be a show of bringing Parliament back: we must have real legislation".
While Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has been pressing for tough measures, members of his Parliamentary group were upset that it took the Omagh bomb for the Government to act.
Ulster Unionist MP for West Tyrone William Thompson said he would be expressing this view to the Prime Minister when he meets him later today. "I will express to him my anger and disgust that it has taken 28 deaths in my constituency and in my town to jolt the two governments into doing something."
He said the Omagh bomb had confirmed his anti-Agreement stance.
Deputy first minister Seamus Mallon said the measures must be effective.
"The important thing is that what is introduced is effective - that it is not done or seen to be done for the optics."
Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness warned the new measures could have serious implications for the peace process and his party's involvement in it.
Mr McGuinness warned that giving the RUC additional powers of arrest amounted to "massive over-reaction."
He said: "It would have grave implications for the community and run the risk that innocent people would be put in prison."
But Downing Street confirmed that it is the Government's intention to have the new Bill debated and approved so that it can become law within the next two weeks.
By Desmond McCartan and Martina Purdy
PM's bid to rush in law
AN emergency measure to jail suspected terrorist hardliners on the word of a police officer is set to become law next week.
The move was being confirmed by Prime Minister. Tony Blair, during a return visit this afternoon to Belfast and Omagh.
Mr Blair, making his second trip since the Omagh bomb outrage. was also disclosing that MPs and Peers are being summoned back to Westminster for an unscheduled two day sitting to approve the new law.
The measure is also expected to include changes to the right to silence.
Courts will be able to take account of silence - or a refusal by a suspect to answer specific questions - as confirming police claims a suspect belongs to an illegal organisation.
It is understood that the evidence of a senior officer, probably of Chief Superintendent rank and above, will be the basis on which the Government hopes to sweep militant republican terrorists off the streets and into prison.
The move has outraged Sinn Fein, which branded it a "massive over-reaction" with "grave implications" for the community.
Mr Blair was arriving in Omagh from France where he announced a multi-billion pound British Airways order for new aircraft from Airbus Industries.
Mr Blair, accompanied by London officials, will stay overnight in Hillsborough Castle before going to Dublin tomorrow for talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The Prime Minister, will have discussions with political leaders, including the First and Deputy First Ministers. David Trimble and Seamus Mallon.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine, has been consulted about the impact on the conduct of court cases.
Some MPs are set to voice worries on civil liberties grounds that the new law could have a more sweeping effect.
The Government is making clear that despite unionist demands it is not intending to reintroduce the power of internment which was removed from the statute books around six months ago.
Broad support for the Government came today from Michael Ancram. the Tory Deputy Chairman and former NIO Minister who welcomed the recall of Parliament.
He warned against "gimmickry." "It mustn't just be a show of bringing Parliament back: we must have real legislation".
While Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has been pressing for tough measures, members of his Parliamentary group were upset that it took the Omagh bomb for the Government to act.
Ulster Unionist MP for West Tyrone William Thompson said he would be expressing this view to the Prime Minister when he meets him later today. "I will express to him my anger and disgust that it has taken 28 deaths in my constituency and in my town to jolt the two governments into doing something."
He said the Omagh bomb had confirmed his anti-Agreement stance.
Deputy first minister Seamus Mallon said the measures must be effective.
"The important thing is that what is introduced is effective - that it is not done or seen to be done for the optics."
Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness warned the new measures could have serious implications for the peace process and his party's involvement in it.
Mr McGuinness warned that giving the RUC additional powers of arrest amounted to "massive over-reaction."
He said: "It would have grave implications for the community and run the risk that innocent people would be put in prison."
But Downing Street confirmed that it is the Government's intention to have the new Bill debated and approved so that it can become law within the next two weeks.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0251
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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