IN A democratic society there must be laws to prohibit torture, the right to dissent, the right to privacy, freedom of speech, the right to protest, no detention without charge and being innocent until proven guilty.

If we slowly give away these freedoms and liberties - which has been happening since New Labour came into power (I say New Labour and not Old Labour or Labour) in the name of combating "Al Qaeeda inspired terrorism" as the Lord Chancellor Mr Straw puts it, then we will eventually end up with a state that may well resemble one Al-Qaeeda would happily love to set up!

The only argument Mr Straw and his colleagues have - and I have read every newspaper and heard every radio show - is the assumption that it may be needed, ie: hindsight.

When did Parliament start to legislate on hindsight?

If on assumption they want to extend pre-charge to 42 days, well then there's quite a lot that might happen in the future. Why stop at 42 days? Surely if that is the argument then there may be a time we need 90 days or 180 days.

In fact, why not legislated, locking suspects up indefinitely until some evidence cropped up that would allow them to be charged or released?

This illiberal measure got through the House of Commons not by force of argument, but rather because Mr Straw and Labour's whips persuaded MPs that its failure could mortally damage a weakened Prime Minister.

This has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with the position of the Prime Minister.

This sinister bill is another attack on our liberties and freedom.

SHABIR LOGAT (via email)