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Review of control orders report published

1 February 2010

Lord Carlile, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has published his fifth annual report on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.

The 2005 act allows for the Home Secretary to make control orders on individuals suspected of terrorism related activity.

Control orders are an important tool to deal with suspected terrorists who cannot be prosecuted or deported.

In his report (new window), Lord Carlile maintains that the control order regime remains viable and necessary, and concludes he would have reached the same decision as the Secretary of State in each case in which a control order was made in 2009.

In the report Lord Carlile concludes:

• 'As the independent reviewer of terror legislation, it is my view and advice that abandoning the control orders system entirely would have a damaging effect on national security.'
• 'There is no better means of dealing with the serious and continuing risk posed by some individuals.'
• 'I have considered whether control orders can or should be replaced by something else, or even renamed. I have been unable to find, or devise, a suitable alternative for the important residue of cases that cannot be dealt with by prosecution…'

Statement from the Home Secretary

Alan Johnson said, ‘Control orders remain an important tool to deal with a small number of suspected terrorists who cannot be prosecuted or deported.

'I am grateful to Lord Carlile for his detailed report, which we will consider carefully and respond to in due course.'

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