CONDUCT OF LIBERAL DEMOCRAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS IN RELATION TO THE PREVENTION OF TERRORISM BILL

That this House notes the vote on 28th February on the amendment tabled by the honourable Member for Bridgend which would have introduced a full judicial process for all terrorism control orders; further notes that the amendment was defeated by 14 votes; further notes the views of the Leader of the Liberal Democrats that such orders should be made in the first instance by the judge on the basis of an adequate burden of proof, 23rd February, Official Report, column 303; regrets therefore that 17 Liberal Democrat honourable Members did not take part in the division on 28th February, including the Right honourable Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness West himself, and believes that if the honourable and Right honourable Members for Sheffield, Hallam, Edinburgh West, Mid Dorset and North Poole, Torridge and West Devon, Cheadle, Eastleigh, Weston-super-Mare, Guildford, Ludlow, Ross, Skye and Inverness West, North Norfolk, Yeovil, Shrewsbury and Atcham, Hazel Grove, North Cornwall, Brecon and Radnorshire and Teignbridge had been present to vote then the amendment would have been carried and the Liberal Democrats' Leader's claimed objective realised.