New anti-terror laws come into force

An anti-terror measure introduced after the July 7 bombings in London came into force today amid warnings it could make the country less safe.

Under the Terrorism Act 2006, it is now a criminal offence to "glorify" terrorism in the hope of encouraging others to carry out such atrocities.

But critics of the new law say it is so widely drawn it could curtail free speech and put legitimate political protesters in danger of being prosecuted.

The latest weapons in the armoury for fighting the terror threat were finally approved by Parliament last month following a bitter battle with the House of Lords over glorification.

The element was opposed by both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats and at one stage survived a Labour backbench rebellion in the Commons by just one vote.

The Terrorism Act 2006 also outlaws the distribution of terrorist publications, planning or preparing an attack and giving or receiving terrorism training.

It makes trespass on nuclear sites a terrorist offence and allows organisations involved in all such activities to be banned.

Human rights group Liberty said it was concerned the law would outlaw "passionate speech" and criminalise non-violent political parties and "make Britain less safe by silencing dissent".

Policy director Gareth Crossman said: "These new powers make us not only less free, we are also less safe when we drive dissent underground and alienate minorities.

"Swept up in this new anti-terror safety net could be those who protest against dictators, like Zimbabwe's Mugabe, or North Korean dissidents. "

Another highly contentious element of the new laws - the ability to hold terror suspects without charge for up to 28 days - has not yet been put into effect.

The Government had wanted to increase the limit from 14 days to 90 but 49 Labour MPs helped vote out that plan - Tony Blair's first Commons defeat at the hands of his own backbenchers.

Consultation with police chiefs over the doubling of the present limit are continuing - and Home Secretary Charles Clarke has made clear he would still like to extend it further.

The glorification proposal was introduced in the immediate wake of the July 7 atrocities as part of the Prime Minister's package of measures to clamp down on "preachers of hate".

Mr Blair has said it would allow "far stronger action" against people who indirectly incited terrorism - such as those carrying placards praising the London suicide bombings at protests in the capital against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

It would send out a "signal of strength", he said.