UK Lawmaker Resigns to Protest Civil Liberties

Tory aims to tweak Brown's ruling Labour
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 18, 2008 4:40 PM CDT
UK Lawmaker Resigns to Protest Civil Liberties
MP David Davis is resigning from Parliament.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)

A British lawmaker resigned from Parliament today to protest what he views as a government assault on civil liberties, especially a recent law that extends to 42 days the length of time that terror suspects can he detained. David Davis of the Conservative Party hoped to call attention to the issue by triggering a special election, but the ruling Labour Party sees his move as a "political stunt" and won't run a candidate against him, the AP reports.

“This is a phony by-election that is completely unnecessary and the Labour Party will not be taking part,” a spokesman said. Davis accused Gordon Brown and his party of dodging a fight by not running a candidate. "If he doesn't do so, the British people will see him as gutless," he said. (More Britain stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X