Controversial plans for new so-called 'anti' terrorism laws have suffered two defeats in the House of Lords as the Peers voted to dump plans the proposed new offence of "glorifying" terror. Additionally they insisted on new safeguards on laws alleged to be intended to stop the distribution of 'terrorist' publications.
The defeats are the second time the governments plans have be thwarted by the lords in the last two days. On Monday peers moved to block the proposed nation ID and database scheme although again ministers say they will continue with the project.
During the report stage debate on the Terrorism Bill, Lord Lloyd said the glorification plan was unworkable and incomprehensible and the Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights said that the offence of glorifying terrorism is "not sufficiently legally certain".
Lord Lloyd of Berwick, an ex-law lord, said that the proposed glorification offense would threaten free speech.
Peers voted by 270 to 144 to dump the proposal.
The Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said the lords would be overturned when the plans return to the Commons. "The government has made a commitment to the electorate to make the glorification of terrorist attacks an offence, and we intend to honour it", she said.
"There are, unfortunately, young and impressionable people in our society who can all too easily be manipulated by those preaching or advocating a message of hate", she added.
MP will try to have the proposal reinstated saying that Labour's manifesto promised the glorification law and that peers should throw out manifesto commitments. Seems ironic as politicians are usually happy to ditch manifesto promises.
The governments defeat was quickly followed by another over plans to outlaw the distribution of 'terrorist' publications. Opponents said that the plans would put academics, librarians and shopkeepers in danger of prosecution.
The government lost of vote by 234 votes to 134.
Sadly, neither of these defeats will put a stop to the governments plans to impose draconian laws design to curb free speech and dissent against their neo-liberal pro-war agenda.
During the report stage debate on the Terrorism Bill, Lord Lloyd said the glorification plan was unworkable and incomprehensible and the Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights said that the offence of glorifying terrorism is "not sufficiently legally certain".
Lord Lloyd of Berwick, an ex-law lord, said that the proposed glorification offense would threaten free speech.
Peers voted by 270 to 144 to dump the proposal.
The Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said the lords would be overturned when the plans return to the Commons. "The government has made a commitment to the electorate to make the glorification of terrorist attacks an offence, and we intend to honour it", she said.
"There are, unfortunately, young and impressionable people in our society who can all too easily be manipulated by those preaching or advocating a message of hate", she added.
MP will try to have the proposal reinstated saying that Labour's manifesto promised the glorification law and that peers should throw out manifesto commitments. Seems ironic as politicians are usually happy to ditch manifesto promises.
The governments defeat was quickly followed by another over plans to outlaw the distribution of 'terrorist' publications. Opponents said that the plans would put academics, librarians and shopkeepers in danger of prosecution.
The government lost of vote by 234 votes to 134.
Sadly, neither of these defeats will put a stop to the governments plans to impose draconian laws design to curb free speech and dissent against their neo-liberal pro-war agenda.
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