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An inherent contradiction
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So, one of the arguments made by the British government in favour of their Prevention of Terrorism Bill that provides for the house areest of those suspected of terrorism-related activity is that they do not want to allow those people to be loose on the streets. Isn't Blair lovely, he cares. However, the funny thing is is that although Blair doesn't want them loose on the streets he is more than happy to let them have seats and offices in Parliament, and let them be in an Executive Cabinet that governs a nation of the Realm.
You see, according to Section 1, Article 1(a) of the Bill, a "control order" can be made when there is "reasonable grounds for suspecting that the individual is or has been involved in terrorism-related activity". Terrorism-related activity is then defined in Section 1, Article 8 of the Bill. Specifically in 8(d) it is defined as "conduct which gives support or assistance to individuals who are known or believed to be involved in terrorism-related activity". So.. this begs the question...
When are Gerry Adams MP (Sinn Fein) and Martin McGuinness MP (Sinn Fein) being put under house arrest? After all they clearly fall well within that definition of terrorism-related activity and the burden of proof against them is far far greater than mere grounds of suspicion.
If they are not placed under a control order then it makes an absolute mockery of the Bill and the Parliamentary ping pong we've had to witness in the past week between the House of Commons and the House of Lords (thank god for the Lords I say).
Prevention of Terrorism Bill
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