• Kathryn Marshall • Simon Deville The introduction of the Criminal Justico Act last year gavo the police and the State sweoping new powors. Once again, the right wing are on the offensive and proparing the way for furthor reprossive logislation.
Sir Paul Condon, Metropolitan Police Commissioner has called for further powers to be given to police. Police are finding it so dificult to get jurles to belleve their word that they are forced to fabricate evidence - what Condon calls "noble corruption". Home Secretary Michael Howard has sald he will draw up a new paper to support the demands of the police. The police are demanding laws to: • Further erode the "right to silence" • Abolish the law of disclosure - this law says that the police must make their Investigations avallable to defence solicitors. It was brought In after pollce had been caught In several cases withholding vital evidence that proved the Innocence of suspects. • Allow the police to use tear gas. This demand Is belng raised now for two reasons. Firstly, the Torles may not be in gorernment for much longer and, al. though the Labour leadership agrees with the Tory right, they will face much greater opposition from rank and flle Labour and Trade Union mem-