Counter-terrorism strategy comes under fire · Leaked report questions lack of accountability
· Survey of mandarins hits at 'talking shop' approach
Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Monday October 24, 2005
The Guardian
The government's counter terrorism strategy is immature, lacks accountability and is disconnected, according to a memo prepared by the Number 10 delivery unit and leaked at the weekend.
The critique - prepared for a meeting at Number 10 - suggests the government may need to appoint a new minister in the Cabinet Office responsible for counter-terrorism.
Counter-terrorism is the responsibility of the Home Office minister Hazel Blears, who is responsible for crime, police and anti-social behaviour. Formal responsibility for counter terrorism strategy is run through a cabinet sub-committee on protective security and resilience chaired by the home secretary Charles Clarke, and attended by senior intelligence chiefs.
The comments came as police yesterday arrested a 27-year-old man from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire in connection with the July 7 bomb attacks on London, following comments carried in a Sunday newspaper. He was held under the Terrorism Act 2000.
The paper, leaked to the Sunday Times, takes the form of a critique of Project Contest, the code name for the government's overall counter terrorism strategy. It is designed to tie together all four significant aspects of Britain's war on terror, preparedness, prevention, pursuit, and protection.
Some Labour MPs are preparing to rebel this week over the government's terrorism bill when it has its second reading in the Commons on Wednesday. Opposition is coalescing on the need for more judicial oversight over plans for suspected terrorists to be detained without charge for three months, a request tabled by the police, but hotly opposed by the Liberal Democrats and civil liberty groups.
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posted 24 October 2005 04:49 AM
