Liberal Democrats oppose renewal of control orders in the Commons

4.58.00pm GMT Wed 4th Mar 2009

Chris Huhne speaks during debate on the renewal of the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism Act

The Liberal Democrats were the only one of three main parties to oppose control orders, during the annual debate on the renewal of the measures.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne, argued, "control orders are not an appropriate instrument for a free society under the rule of law. They are unfair; they breach key rights to a fair hearing; and they get perilously close to reversing a fundamental principle of our criminal justice system: we are innocent till proven guilty."

Chris said that the Government's terror laws were ineffective, unworkable and likely to have a greater impact upon the innocent than on the guilty. He explained, "the guilty are more likely to abscond, so the innocent are more likely to be detained. Criminal trials and custodial sentences would be a far more effective way or proceeding and protecting the public."

Chris argued that by doing away with the legal principle of not detaining people under house arrest without trial or any other legal hearing, the Government was showing it was willing to turn the justice system completely on its head to implement control orders. He concluded, "effectively, we have a system of indefinite house arrest."

He vowed that the legislation would continue to be strongly opposed by the Lib Dems.

Despite Lib Dem opposition, strong support from the Conservative and Labour parties meant the Act was passed by 271 votes to 89.

Read the full Chris Huhne speech