FREEDOM MATTERS The latest remarks of the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, suggesting the possible incarceration of unconvicted individuals are not only astonishing coming from the head of the judiciary but represent a massive threat to justice, democracy and freedom in our country.

It is said that the Home Office has no plans for such a proposal, but I cannot help thinking that senior politicians are behind this.

Although the specific reference is to paedophiles and the threat they pose to society, once a basic principle is abandoned the application of its effects cannot be limited by understandable distaste of one activity or another.This is a matter of the greatest concern to all lawyers - or should be.

It also follows a number of proposals from the government and the European Union in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 11 September, including a new limitation on lawyer/client confidentiality through the money laundering directive.

Timothy Kirkhope, solicitor, MEP for Yorkshire and The Humber, and Conservative spokesman on citizens' freedoms and rights, justice and home affairs committee of the European Parliament