ADMONISHING me for suggesting the Government should review the Human Rights Act 1998 and other loopholes that could affect the 'war effort,' Councillor D Hollings (Letters, October 2) castigated my criticisms of Labour's flagship legislation as a denial of the freedoms and democratic rights needed to fight terrorism.

He said that freedom we give up for the war against terrorism is a victory for bin Laden and his followers and that each democratic right we give up will encourage those whose aim is the destruction of democracy -- but the terrorists have no respect for such rights and may see them as a weakness.

The moment of truth has arrived. Soon, Home Secretary David Blunkett will have to bite the bullet and override the constraints of the Human Rights Act. Watch his lips.

COUN J H HIRST (Beardwood with Lammack Ward), Blackburn Conservative Association.