Detention under terror law to be doubled

Civil liberties groups reacted angrily last night to the Government's plans to double to 14 days the period that terrorist suspects can be detained without charge.

Under proposals to be unveiled today by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, there will also be stiffer penalties for identity fraud in an effort to disrupt the activities of terrorists and racketeers.

An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill will extend the maximum period of detention without charge under the Terrorism Act from seven to 14 days, when agreed by a court.

Another will make passport and driving licence fraud arrestable offences, and increase to two years the maximum penalty for making a fraudulent application for a driving licence. At present the maximum penalty is a £2,500 fine.

Mr Blunkett insisted that the extra time proposal was necessary in complex or exceptional cases. "It takes time to investigate members of loose-knit networks across international boundaries," he said.

Under the proposals, which would be effective across the UK, courts would have to be satisfied that the extra time was vital for further evidence-gathering, and the grounds for continuing to hold a suspect would be kept under constant review.

The proposals were condemned by the human rights organisation Liberty as "ill-considered, unnecessary and politically motivated". Mark Littlewood, campaign director, said: "There is precious little evidence to suggest the present provisions, allowing for up to seven days' detention without charge, are inadequate."