From The Scotsman, with thanks to Twostellas:
A LIBYAN man detained without trial under anti-terror laws on the grounds of his alleged links with al-Qaeda was freed last night after Britain’s most senior judge ruled that David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, must order his release.The Lord Chief Justice Lord Woolf rejected Mr Blunkett’s appeal against a previous decision that the man’s 16-month detention in Belmarsh high-security prison was unlawful and based on "wholly unreliable evidence".
The 37-year old man, known only as M, is the first terror suspect to appeal successfully against his detention under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act (ATCSA).
Mr Blunkett, who launched an 11th-hour appeal to prevent M walking free last week, was refused the right to appeal the decision in the Lords.
In a written judgment, Lord Woolf acknowledged "the need for society to protect itself against acts of terrorism" but added that it remained of the "greatest importance" that an individual "should have access to an independent tribunal or court which can adjudicate upon the question of whether the detention is lawful or not. If it is not lawful, he has to be released".
should have labeled him an enemy combatant and held him as a prisoner of war. this is going to get like the cases of the kidnapper/murderers who are parole violators but allowed to roam the streets because of lenient and irresponsible judges. one of these days, some act of terror will kill 40 or 50 people and will then be traced back to a stupid decision like this. at that point, the judge should stand trial as well.