PM urged to defuse virus powers row

BORIS Johnson is looking to defuse a civil liberties row over coronavirus emergency laws by dropping plans for the powers to last two years without a further Commons vote, it was claimed last night.

Sources say the Government is seriously considering a request from Labour for MPs to vote every six months on whether to renew the wartime-style legislation.

But the move is unlikely to see off a Tory revolt over the Coronavirus Bill, with former Brexit Secretary David Davis saying it was ‘flawed and based on uncertain medicine and science’.

MPs will tomorrow debate the 329-page draft law which would hand the state draconian new powers – including police being able to quarantine infectious people who refuse to co-operate for up to a month, and fine them £1,000. The draft Bill – to be fast-tracked through the Commons – says the sweeping powers would last up to two years without a further vote, sparking warnings that dozens of Tory MPs will rebel.

But sources say that the Government is considering Labour demands for the legislation to be voted on every six months.

A source said Ministers wanted to maintain the spirit of consensus over fighting the virus.

The debate comes amid plans for the Army to draft in 20,000 personnel to help police London and ensure delivery of vital supplies if necessary.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn wrote to the Prime Minister last week to say that, although people understood the need for temporary restrictions, the plans were so far-reaching that MPs should decide every six months whether to renew the legislation.

But Mr Davis warned that his ‘confused’ proposal could lead to the laws being regularly ‘rubber-stamped’ by MPs. He said the legislation should instead expire after one year.

Mr Davis also branded police detention powers as ‘unnecessarily excessive’ and added: ‘If at nine months we decide we need another Bill, we take three months to do it properly on the basis of real knowledge and proper scrutiny.’

No 10 last night said: ‘The measures are temporary, proportionate to the threat we face, will only be used when strictly necessary, and will be in place as long as required.’ Peter Hitchens – Pages 28-29