Terrorism Bill

Referring back to the intervention by my right hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, Coastal (Mr. Gummer), may I, too, tell my right hon. Friend how I deplore the way in which chief constables have been drawn into this political argument? It is the first time in my 22 years in the House that a chief constable has ever contacted me to seek support for a particular clause in a Bill in favour of the police. I received a letter from my excellent chief constable, for whom I have enormous regard and respect, in which he asked me to support the extension. He said:"““The new challenges we face have evolved faster than the legislation and these new powers are therefore necessary.””" I wrote back to him, saying:"““If I may say so, I am more likely to be swayed by you than by Charles Clarke! Please will you explain to me why it must be 90 days, not 28? Or would you perhaps be willing to settle for a doubling to 28?””" I have had no reply.