“The number of the conspiracies, the number of conspirators within those conspiracies and the magnitude of the ambition, in terms of destruction and loss of life, is mounting, has continued to mount year by year,” Sir Blair told the MPs while putting forward the case for extending the 28-day limit for detaining terror suspects without charge.

He told the Home Affairs Committee that internment was not a good idea, but 50 to 90 day detention would be “sensible” with judicial oversight.

However, he admitted that there have been no cases so far where detention beyond 28 days had been needed, but added that it was only a matter of time.

“The prospect that we will need more than 28 days some time in the not too distant future is so real a prospect that Parliament needs to consider it,” The Sun quoted him as saying.

Pointing out the proposed extension would not “ease” relations between police and the Muslim community, the police chief admitted that more efforts were needed to explain as to why it was needed.

He went on to say that considering the increase in threat, “a pragmatic inference can be drawn that at some stage 28 days is not going to be sufficient.” (ANI)