Friday, 7 December, 2001, 20:54 GMT
Compromise over anti-terror plans
Home Secretary David Blunkett is to amend two clauses in his controversial anti-terror plans in a bid to head off further opposition in the House of Lords.
The moves are designed to allow Mr Blunkett to rush through the bill - introduced in response to the 11 September US terror atrocities - before Parliament breaks up for the Christmas recess.

Mr Blunkett said: "The attempt to distinguish crime from terrorism is naive and impractical and I will ask the Commons to reverse last night's amendments next week."
more...

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1698000/1698202.stm


Terror Bill climbdown examined
 http://www.thisislondon.com/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=451493&in_review_text_id=401718

Opponents of the Government's emergency Anti-Terrorism Bill are deciding whether to accept a climbdown offered by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

In a bid to head off opposition in the House of Lords and make the Bill law by Christmas, Mr Blunkett has announced compromises on two of the most controversial clauses in the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill.

One covers the new offence of incitement to religious hatred and the other measures to allow European anti-terror measures to be introduced without debate in Parliament.

Mr Blunkett insists that he will ensure the House of Commons overturns Lords defeats on other sections of the Bill.

His amendments are due to be put to the House of Lords.

One will offer a guideline from the Attorney-General, to define what constitutes the offence of incitement to religious hatred, as insurance against abuse of the new offence.

The guidance aims to quell fears that the law might be used, for example, to prosecute people who quote from religious texts in public, said Home Office sources.

The second amendment introduces a "sunset clause", limiting until June 2002 the period in which European anti-terror measures can be introduced by secondary legislation.

It will also make clear that the only measures to be rushed through in this way are those drawn up by the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 atrocities.

They are due for approval at the EU's Laeken summit in Belgium next weekend.


Saturday, 8 December, 2001
Italy urged to reconsider warrant
Plans for a Europe-wide arrest warrant to counter international terrorism will not be scuppered by Italy, the UK Government has said.
Home Office minister Angela Eagle said the 14 other European Union countries might have to go ahead with the initiative without Italy if an agreement is not reached.
more...
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1698000/1698891.stm


more info see:

 http://www.statewatch.org
 http://go.to/ta2000

earlier media reporting:
 http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=17916&group=webcast