Geldof joins Davis on campaign trail

42-day detention plans ‘repulsive’

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BOB Geldof yesterday called the UK Government’s plans for holding terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge as “constitutionally repulsive.”

He hit out as he joined David Davis on the campaign trail ahead of next week’s Haltemprice and Howden by-election.

Mr Geldof received a warm reception as he addressed students at Hull’s Guildhall. The rock star is a close ally of Gordon Brown on tackling poverty in Africa.

“This by-election isn’t normal; it is extraordinary,” he told the audience.

He said the electorate was not being asked to consider the merits of the government or opposition but “something profound”.

He said the government’s proposed anti-terror laws were a clear breach of ancient rights and the Magna Carta.

The contest in the East Yorkshire constituency was triggered when Mr Davis resigned from the House of Commons over government plans to hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge. He will face 25 other candidates in the by-election on July 10.

The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats are not taking part.