Breaking news: David Davis resigns as MP
Shadow home secretary David Davis said today he was
resigning as and Haltemprice and Howden MP to "take a stand"
and force a by-election on the issue the "relentless erosion"
of freedom in the wake of the Government's 42-day terror
detention plan.
The shadow home secretary made a statement on the steps of
the Parliament building.
A spokesman for Mr Davis told the Mail: “In objection to the
vote in the House of Commons yesterday which sanctions the
detention of terrorist suspects for up to 42-days, Mr Davis has
resigned as the MP for Haltemprice and Howden.
“He feels strongly about the issue of 42 days' detention and
is standing by his convictions.
“The piece of legislation repeals the Magna Carta which has
been the basis for English speaking democracies for 900-years,
it is a disgrace and Mr Davis wants to stand against that. He
will stand in the by-election for re-election.”
The election will be held on July 3 or 10 and the spokesman
insisted there was no division within the party.
Tory leader David Cameron
described Mr Davis's action as a "courageous" personal
decision
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Mr Davis has represented the constituency since 1997.
Mr Davis spearheaded the Conservatives’ failed bid to defeat
Government plans for 42-day detention without charge for terror
suspects.
He is widely seen as one of the shadow cabinet’s most
effective operators, and came runner up to David Cameron for
the party leadership in 2005.
Dominic Grieve, MP for Beaconsfield, has been named new
shadow home secretary.
Check back here for updates.
41 Comments
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by Colin 1, Hull
Friday, June 20 2008, 1:01PM
“Does any-one know of DD's position on the Reform Treaty (Lisbon Treaty)?
Whilst I am a supporter of DD's action in resigning to highlight the issue of liberty and freedoms in the UK the Reform Treaty, bringing in EU law above that of UK law, is a major infringement. For that matter so is membership of the EU (as opposed to the EEC).
Nothing mentioned on DD's web site and I missed last night's Question Time.”
by Colin, Hull
Thursday, June 19 2008, 12:41AM
“Mark, that's right..... yawn.... roll over and be turned over.”
by Richard, Huul
Friday, June 13 2008, 10:59PM
“thats right steve”
by mark, hessle
Friday, June 13 2008, 3:31PM
“yaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnn....”
by Steve, Beverley
Friday, June 13 2008, 11:49AM
“It's "Won't Get Fooled Again". However, we always will because we always do.
Our rights are being eroded under the banner of "The War on terror". First the billions of pounds that will be wasted on ID Cards, now the removal of rights held up as an example to the rest of the world for over 800 years. Yet here we all are discussing it and some people have been fooled, some think it's a good idea. Before you take a side I'd ask you to have a look what you can be held for under "anti-terrorism" legislation, it's truly frightening.”