Early Government Comment on the Anti-terror legislation

This page has references to the governement comment preceeding the passage of the Terrorism Act 2000.
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On 14 December, 1999, the following statements were made by Jack Straw (the then-Home Secretary) during one of the parliamentary discussions of the (then-proposed) Terrorism Act 2000.

The Bill is not intended to threaten in any way the right to demonstrate peacefully--nor will it do so. It is not designed to be used in situations where demonstrations unaccountably turn ugly. Should any unlawful activities occur in such circumstances, the powers available under the ordinary criminal law will, as now, suffice.

I shall deal with the new definition of terrorism that we propose in the Bill, and with its application to all forms of terrorism. However, I make it clear that the new definition will not catch the vast majority of so-called domestic activist groups.

(Jack Straw 14/12/1999- Hansards Column 154)

However, to think that the Bill will restrict the right of peaceful protest, demonstration and campaigning is wholly erroneous....

....I also share his view about the need for the powers that are set out in the Bill. I was about to say that we have put in place another profound safeguard against the disproportionate use of the powers that we are discussing, and that is the Human Rights Act 1998, which will come into force on 2 October 2000, before the Bill takes effect.

(Jack Straw 14/12/1999- Hansards Column 160)

 

"The police have no interest in using those powers in circumstances in which the normal criminal law will suffice"

(Jack Straw 14/12/1999- Hansards Column 162)

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USEFUL GOVT RELATED LINKS-

The Home Office, UK (website section with press releases, reports, and publications)
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/reports/

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 Review
(this site features Liberty, FAIR, and Lord Carlile's submissions)
http://www.atcsact-review.org.uk

(CAMPACC submission to the Privy Council review of the legislation)
Terrorising Minority Communities: ‘Anti-Terrorism’ Powers: their Use and Abuse
(Full statement of August 2003)
http://www.carf.demon.co.uk/pdf/campacc_submission.pdf