Police intervention in Labour Anti-Terrorism discussion inappropriate

2.56.11pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Nov 2005

In the run-up to today's Parliamentary vote Andy Hayman, the head of counter-terrorism at the Association of Chief Police Officers, met about 30 wavering Labour backbenchers for an hour at Westminster last night alongside Mr Clarke and his deputy, Hazel Blears, in an attempt to persuade them to support the bill. Alistair Carmichael MP, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman said "The job of the police is to enforce the laws, not to make them. They are entitled to argue for more powers when they think they are necessary, but they need to tread extremely carefully."

Mr. Carmichael further said "For Andy Hayman to intervene in internal party discussions on the eve of a crucial vote was completely inappropriate. This Government is constantly crossing lines that are there for a good reason."