§ Lord Tomlinsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to use the powers under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [HL2134]
§ Lord RookerEarlier today, on the basis of certificates my right honourable friend the Home Secretary signed under Part 4 of the Act, following careful and detailed consideration, the Immigration Service detained eight foreign nationals whom my right honourable friend suspects to be international terrorists. They were detained earlier today and will be held in secure prison accommodation. My right honourable friend will not disclose their names unless they themselves first do so.
Part 4 of the Act gives my right honourable friend powers to issue a certificate in respect of someone whom he believes to be a risk to national security and suspect to be an international terrorist. The Act also gives powers for his deportation and, where his removal or departure from the United Kingdom is prevented (whether temporarily or indefinitely), for his detention.
A person detained has the right to apply for bail to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which is a superior court of record under the Act. He may also appeal to the commission to have the certificate cancelled. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate for my right honourable friend to comment further. A person detained is free to leave the United Kingdom at any time.
My right honourable friend will continue to keep the exercise of the powers in Part 4 of the Act under close review.