Rebel MP attacks anti-terror laws

Paul Marsden visited refugee sites on the Afghan border

A Labour MP who visited the Afghanistan border has said he will oppose the government's changes to anti-terrorism laws.

Paul Marsden has said his visit to the war-torn region has strengthened his opposition to the war.

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham also said the government's plans to imprison terror suspects without trial is comparable to a Third World dictactorship.

He said Home Secretary David Blunkett seemed to be acting like Britain's enemies in the war on terror.

Basically we are going down to the level of Third World dictactors

Paul Marsden, Labour MP

"I just think how can you claim to go to war in the name of freedom and then take freedom away?

"The terrorists haven't restricted our freedom, the home secretary has.

"Bit by bit, we keep losing more and more of our civil rights.

"I'm utterly appalled with this idea that internment is the solution to terrorism.

"Basically we are going down to the level of Third World dictactors."

Mr Marsden is to write a report for Tony Blair and the cabinet on his visit to Afghan border which he hopes will highlight the need for humanitarian aid in the region.

'Stop bombing'

He returned on Saturday, having spent a week in Asia.

Paul Marsden opposes the strikes on Afghanistan

During the visit he talked to refugees at a UN-run camp at Chaman on the Pakistan border with Afghanistan.

He said: "Most of those against the Taleban government said 'please stop the bombing' because it is hardening support for the Taleban.

"They are suffering from lack of food and not having access to proper shelter.

"It was pretty grim in the refugee camp even though it was a good camp.

"It was soul-destroying that this was the best we could do for people after we bomb their land."

Diplomatic row

Last month Mr Marsden took the unusual step of putting on record his clash with chief whip Hilary Armstrong over his opposition to the war in Afghanistan.

He said Ms Armstrong told him war was not a matter of conscience, and had compared Labour opponents of the bombing campaign with people who tried to appease Hitler in the 1930s.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has since said MPs are entitled to hold their own opinions on the campaign.