NI security chiefs to discuss anti-terror bill
Northern Secretary Paul Murphy is to discuss with security chiefs how British government legislation for combating international terrorism could be applied in the North.
As the British government waited to see how the Lords would deal with its controversial legislation passed by MPs last night, Mr Murphy said today he would seek the advice of PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and others on whether control orders on terror suspects could be applied against republican and loyalist terror bosses.
“We haven’t even finished putting the legislation through parliament yet,” he said.
“Obviously when that is done (I have) to talk to the Chief Constable and those who advise me on security in Northern Ireland to see how relevant those would be within a Northern Ireland contest.”
Mr Murphy was commenting on the BBC2 Daily Politics programme as Conservatives and Liberal Democrats continued their bid to alter Home Secretary Charles Clarke’s controversial legislation.
Much of the controversy has centred on whether judges or the Home Secretary should issue control orders on terror suspects.
The restrictions would include banning suspects from possessing or using specified articles or substances, prohibiting the use of certain services like the internet or phones, restricting association or communication with certain individuals, limiting the person’s place of residence or who is allowed inside, restricting movements within the UK or international travel.
Some MPs have suggested it should be deployed against members of the IRA, other republican groups and loyalist organisations just as much as al-Qaida.
