07 Jul 2006

It is one year on and Liberty still feels outrage at the senseless and vindictive acts of terror carried out in London on the 7th July.

 As we said at the time ‘our hearts go out to the victims and their families and our respect and profound gratitude to the emergency services. We have no doubt that the whole of society will support the police and security services in the task of bringing the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice’.
 
We also welcomed the response to the attacks from leading politicians across the political spectrum whose statements were a proportionate response to the events. Since that time we have, unfortunately, had occasion to oppose counter-productive legislation which restricts fundamental rights and freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism.
 
Such restrictions do not make us safer; they risk giving a victory to the terrorists by undermining good community relations and cooperation with the police and security services. One year on we hope politicians will once again seek consensus around a response based upon putting resources and commitment into defeating terrorism not passing unnecessary laws.