THE British Labour Party has reaffirmed its pledge to repeal part of the Prevention of Terrorism Act by abolishing exclusion orders if it wins the next general election.
In an interview with the Observer, the shadow home secretary, Mr Jack Straw, described the exclusion orders, which prevent Northern Ireland citizens from travelling to Britain, as a "form of internal exile" and said he would immediately rescind the 35 orders that are currently enforced.
"The orders are made by executive fiat and they prevent people against whom no charges have been laid or no conviction obtained from exercising liberties available to other people," he said.
The Labour Party hopes the current inquiry into these orders, headed by Lord Lloyd, will support this stance and recommend abolition of the orders.
Last week more than 20 Labour backbenchers defied the leadership by voting against new anti terrorist measures - granting police officers the right to stop and search people.