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HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

10 November 2005

Those of your readers – and I am sure there will be many of them – who want to read a detailed account of Folkestone Invicta’s valiant performance at Chester in the First Round of the FA Cup last Saturday will no doubt turn to the sports pages.

But I would like to add a word or two from my perspective. It was a real privilege to be present. It was the first time Folkestone Invicta have reached the First Round and Neil Cugley’s team acquitted themselves with real distinction. They fully deserved their half-time lead from Adam Flanigan’s goal and, even after they lost that lead and fell a goal behind, fought ceaselessly to the very end.

As one of the home contingent, who made us all really welcome, said to me after the game:

“We’ve played many League Two teams this season who weren’t as good as you.�

All credit to the hundreds of fans from Folkestone who made the long trip to Chester, I am sure they thought it well worth while.

The long drive back to Kent after the game was illuminated by scores of firework displays decorating the night sky. This Guy Fawkes day was of course the 400th anniversary of the original plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. I find it immensely reassuring that so many centuries later we still celebrate our deliverance from that conspiracy.

This week Parliament will be debating the most appropriate response to the terrorist threat we face today. As I write, the outcome remains uncertain.

What is clear, though, is that the Government have wholly failed to make the case for detaining, without charge, anyone suspected of involvement in a terrorist offence for three months – the equivalent of a six month prison sentence.

These powers could be used against anyone – as we saw at the recent Labour Party Conference.

I hope agreement on a lesser period can be reached. By the time you read this you will know the outcome.