Proposed anti-terrorist legislation triggers row

Government plans to extend anti-terrorist legislation to include 'domestic' terrorists have come under fire from the Law Society.President Bob Sayer said the Society has 'serious worries' about the Terrorism Bill.

'We are very concerned that the government wants to broaden the definition of terrorism with a catch-all that includes so-called "domestic terrorism", 'he said.

'This could have serious implications for people like GM crop or animal welfare protesters, whose offences are already adequately dealt with by "ordinary" law.'A Home Office spokeswoman responded: 'They have no right to use terror tactics.' She said the legislation, which finished its committee stage in the House of Lords this week, is intended to reflect the improved situation in Northern Ireland, and for the most part replicates existing legislation.

'The whole purpose is not to stifle legitimate protest.'The Home Office proposes to allow a suspect to be arrested and detained for 48 hours without a warrant.

This period could then be extended by up to seven days with a court order.

Mr Sayer there was no justification for this extension of normal time-limits.In addition, the Law Society is objecting to the extension of police power which would allow senior officers to deny suspects the right to private consultation with a lawyer.

The interview would instead be conducted in the presence of a police investigator.

Anne Mizzi