Date published: 2006/06/28
The BBC says:
A key plank of the government's policy to combat terrorism has been thrown out by the High Court.
A senior judge has ruled that control orders made against six men are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
They are imposed on people suspected of terrorism but where there is not enough evidence to go to court.
Under the orders, suspects can be tagged, confined to their homes, and banned from communicating with others.
Home secretary In April, the same judge, Mr Justice Sullivan, ruled against the Act under which control orders are made, saying that those subjected to them had not received a fair hearing.
He said control orders were incompatible with Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which outlaws indefinite detention without trial.
He said it followed that the home secretary did not have the power to make the orders, "and they must therefore all be quashed".
Appeals against both judgements are expected to be heard next Monday.
The six men, thought to be a Briton and five Iraqis, will remain subject to the restrictions until then.
The government's terror law adviser, Lord Carlile, said the government would "undoubtedly" appeal the ruling.
No doubt Blair and the current Home Secretary Reid will throw a temper tantrum over this. How dare the courts try and restrain them from their dictatorial powers. Alas the (generally weak) courts are the only protection the citizens of Britain have against this dreadful government.
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