Take It As Red

For once the courts have done their job. The House of Lords ruled by an eight to one majority in favour of appeals by nine detainees held without charge and without limit in Belmarsh high security prison, some of them held on evidence obtained through torture.

"The law lords said the measures were incompatible with European human rights laws. The men will stay behind bars while ministers decide how to react."

I can't tell you how happy this decision makes me. Blunkett gone, and a good court decision - can I dare to hope the tide is turning? I am sad that they won't be released, as would seem only just, but if they are released most will be immediately deported to their home nations as they are considered a danger to UK security. Should this happen it's likely some of the detainees may be assassinated.

Hmmm, indefinite detention with no charge, or deportation/assassination. Which would you choose?

UPDATE

Gods bless Lord Hoffman. From the Guardian:

Lord Hoffmann argued that the legislation was not justified even by the perceived terrorist threat: "This is a nation which has been tested in adversity, which has survived physical destruction and catastrophic loss of life. I do not underestimate the ability of fanatical groups of terrorists to kill and destroy, but they do not threaten the life of the nation. Whether we would survive Hitler hung in the balance, but there is no doubt that we shall survive al-Qaida".

Lord Hoffman concluded instead that: "the real threat to the life of the nation, in the sense of a people living in accordance with its traditional laws and political values, comes not from terrorism but from laws such as these".

Mr Gonzalez, are you listening?

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