If this government were serious about fighting terrorism, they would ensure that all people working in security areas of British airports had the required Criminal Records Check, which they say is too much trouble.

Peter, Brixham, Devon

The Labour "anti-terror" strategy has long been based on the principle of internment without trial. 42 days is just another incarnation of this authoritarian approach.

We live in a liberal democracy (or at least it used to be) and have no need for a British Guantanamo Bay.

Ian, London,

I agree that fighting terrorism must be the priority. however, there is also the issue of civil rights here. Surely, if the police can't prove anything in 28 days, then they won't in 42 days. They should have some sort of a case before they arrest anybody.

Hamad Lone, London, England

Having 42 days does not mean they will be used, just available, but with judges relaseing terrorists on bail and stopping deportation, the whole security of Britain is a mess. Sack the judges, open the prisons, and sack the police everyone can then do as they wish.

Mike, cyprus,

What's the point anyway if the judiciary feel they are forced to let dangerous people out on bail? Not very joined up legislation.

Mike, Guildford,

"It simply doesn't matter if a suspect spends another 14 days detention to determine facts/ identify evidence to prevent terrorist activities."

Not to you it doesn't. But it does to the suspect, who could lose his job and his home and maybe his family.

Kay Tie, York,

To be brutally honest, Mr Tarique Ghaffur is correct about the wedge 42 day detentions would create between British Muslims and the Met Police. It now appears Sir Ian's views are in line with his Assistant Commissioner, who speaks more sense than any of our British politicians.

MA , London, UK

If this government were serious about fighting terrorism, there is so much more they could do without the need for an extension to the present 14 day rule. This is nothing more than a political gimmick and will do more harm to our safety than protect us. Another own goal for el gordo.

Brian Roberts , Plymouth, UK

the D P P says 42 days is uneccesssary

what price blair magically changes his mind- amazing what an offer of a seat in the lords can achieve

peter codner, devizes, wessex

It is astounding that the hard won freedoms are so easily relinquished, with scaremongering and hyped up fears of terrorism. We have more to fear from a government hell bent on stripping our freedoms away than we do any terrorist.

John, London,

Can someone tell me if she has not fallen out with anyone? Who ever he/she is they must be real sycophants.

M. Cawdery, Portadown, Co. UK, EU.

Facts can be determined without keeping people incarcerated.

One of justice's problems is that it all takes far too long.

All the cops have to do to keep someone inside is to charge them and get bail denied.

The cops don't want 42 days-its a political invention.

Merlin, Northampton, UK

The problem is nobody believes people in authority. There are loads of cases where people who have been arrested and held under terror legislation and all they were doing was protesting or something similar. Also its been shown give the police a year they will take a year - surprise

Pete, Yorkshire,

What a tempest in a teapot! The dispute is over 14 days! Stopping terrorists must have priority. It simply doesn't matter if a suspect spends another 14 days detention to determine facts/ identify evidence to prevent terrorist activities.This dispute is simply a cynical political power game.

SMITH, Kent,