Terrorism Bill

Before I give way to my hon. Friend, I must allow myself enough time to comprehend his question. I may need to seek an extension of my speech. Last Wednesday, in Committee, the Home Secretary withdrew the 90-day proposal—scarcely a sign of confidence in it. On Saturday, he said publicly that 90 days was not crucial. On Monday, he emerged from the Home Office to announce that he would table amendments to reduce the time limit from 90 days, but those amendments were never tabled. We have heard his account of it, but the whole House knows the real reason. By yesterday, only a day after the Home Secretary signalled his desire to listen to the mood of the House, listening was off the agenda, because he had lost control of the matter. The whole House knows who has seized control and who has brought back the 90-day proposal that was withdrawn last week and introduced the fig leaf of the so-called sunset clause. The Prime Minister, not the Home Secretary, has brought back the 90 days—the same man who, as Leader of the Opposition, twice failed to support a Conservative amendment on the prevention of terrorism Acts.