Global Issues: Counter-terrorism:  Fierce battle beind scenes for the coaltion’s soul

Andrew Rawnsley [Observer) in The fierce battle behind the scenes for the coalition’s soul elucidates a raging argument over counterterror laws, which is putting the coalition’s commitment to human rights to a crucial test.

He writes: “Playing out behind the scenes in Whitehall, a story that the government doesn’t want you to read. An intense internal battle is being waged over how to respond to terrorism without compromising fundamental principles of justice and civil liberties. It is dividing the intelligence services, splitting the cabinet and has left David Cameron and Nick Clegg in a state of alarmed semi-paralysis. It is a big test of the unity of their partnership, their leadership mettle and their willingness to honour the promises they made in opposition.”

Party politics spats aside the article is useful in setting out some of the UK’s counter-terrorism measues and touches on the human rights v security debate.