WITH the introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Bill, how big a step is it from detaining terrorist suspects to holding "right wing extremists" who want the UK to be a free, independent country.

I have always believed Britain set an example to the rest of the world.

"Innocent until proven guilty" has been enshrined in our very existence. But now Blair has been allowed to take this basic freedom from us.

How can we now condemn regimes such as Robert Mugabi's in Zimbabwe? All he will say is that he is just using the same powers as Blair has given himself.

Howard and Kennedy have been proclaiming a victory over Blair, but Tony has only agreed to review the legislation, not take it off the statute book.

To do this will now take a majority in parliament. As our masters in Brussels demand our legal system of habeas corpus is replaced by the Continental corpus juris where you are guilty unless you can prove your innocence does it make you sleep easier knowing you can now be detained without knowing what for and on what evidence and you are no longer "innocent until proven guilty?"

Stephen Feaster,

UK Independence Party,

Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire,

Cropton, Pickering.

Updated: 10:23 Tuesday, March 15, 2005