Prime Minister defends use of control orders
The Prime Minister has defended the use of control orders as the best available means for protecting the public.
Speaking at a news conference in Downing Street, Mr Blair said that control orders were very much a second best option
but that they were the strongest measures available within existing legislation.
"Control orders are necessary but by their very nature they are difficult for our security services and police to
enforce.
"Unfortunately, we were unable to maintain the legislation which we wanted to do which would give us the power to detain
people. In the end, that is the best protection for the British people."
Control orders were introduced in 2005 after a previous policy of detaining foreign terror suspects without charge was
ruled illegal.
ENDS