UK: New counter-terrorism measures debated

On 25 July, the UK Home Office published a discussion paper on measures that could be included in a future counter-terrorism bill. These would include, among others, the extension of the length of pre-charge detention, continued questioning of suspects after being charged, and new powers to use and store DNA material for counter-terrorism purposes. The Government has also commissioned a review on the admissibility of intercept evidence in court. On 30 July a report by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) concluded that it is unnecessary to extend pre-charge detention beyond 28 days.