Today Compass has launched a debate and consultation on the counter terrorism bill. We’re delighted that both Jacqui Smith the Home Secretary and Shami Chakrabarti Director of human rights group Liberty have set out the arguments both for and against the government’s proposals on the Compass website at www.compassonline.org.uk. The articles are complimented with a consultation which will run until Friday 15 February.

Take part in the consultation and speak out on the proposals

From the Independent.

Britain's first Muslim Minister has described his disappointment after he was detained at a US airport, where his hand luggage was analysed for traces of explosive materials.

It is amazing that it has taken until the court case for the mainstream media to pick up on this story, and even now it is tucked away.  Imagine if the accused in this story were Muslims, how different the reporting would be.

The intention of this thread is not to rehearse discussions about whether the plot was or was not real (though I don't mind comments going off in that direction)- it is to consider why the public don't believe what our ministers tell them.

Let's hope that the air-vigilantism displayed on the Monarch flight back to Britain is not the start of a worrying trend.

The events of the last couple of days have made me take stock a little of my thoughts on the "war on terror" and, in particular, its undoubtedly malign impact on race relations in 21st century Britain. I've come to a rather alarming and unwelcome conclusion. I've concluded that the original Jihadi extremists of the 1990s have succeeded.

There has been an interesting irony to the news this week regarding air travel.

Todays revelations about the alleged terror plot to blow up transatlantic flights is a scary reminder of a world where the indiscriminate slaughter of innocent men, women and children is a tactic all too readily used by extremists.
Police have already said that it was an attempt to cause "mass murder on an unimaginable scale".

As we all wake up this morning, we'll be hearing about the foiled terrorist plot[s] targetting mid-flight airliners and their passengers. The UK's current threat level has been raised to [CRITICAL] .

It seems to indicate that although arrests have been made, there is a sufficient threat to increase the level at this time. Our intelligence agencies are doing their job, and we should provide them with all the necessary tools and support they need.

A letter has appeared in today's South Wales Echo from the brother of one of the 7/7 victims, which deserves wider attention, as it puts the root-causers firmly in their place. Leighton Andrews has the full story.

As our flags fly at half-mast, we pause to remember how Londoners stared at those four suicide murderers on July 7th, and saw nothing but evil and hatred for mankind within those four pairs of eyes.

So where do/should we stand on a public inquiry? The government's efforts are lauded and criticised almost simultaneously every day. What do you think? This comment thread is for your thoughts.