Mark Littlewood, Liberty's Campaign Director said:

"These proposals to extend detention without charge are ill-considered,
unnecessary and politically motivated. There seems to be no end to this
government's tendency to rush through ever more draconian powers in order to
appear "tough on terror".

There is precious little evidence to suggest that the present provisions, allowing for up to seven days detention without charge, are inadequate. Few terrorist suspects need to be detained for as long as a week - let alone a fortnight - before a decision can be made as to whether or not to charge them. Extensive reviews of our terrorist laws have never suggested that lengthier detentions without trial were necessary or desirable.

At the time of the post 9/11 anti-terrorist legislation, the government gave absolutely no indication that they believed the period
should be extended. The sensible way to combat terrorism is to ensure our security and intelligence services become sharper and better focused.

Political posturing to try and assure the public that "something is being done" is an unhelpful and dangerous distraction."