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Former top lawyer says anti-terror laws 'may not be legal'

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve has voiced concerns about the legality of new anti-terror measures, while Labour has accused the Government of being "unclear" in their plans.

The comments come after David Cameron unveiled a series of new measures including giving police the powers to seize passports at UK borders of British citizens they suspect could be travelling abroad to fight with terror groups.

The move follows the announcement on Friday that the UK's terror threat has been upgraded from 'substantial' to 'severe', with the Home Secretary saying an attempted attack was now "highly likely".

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Government anti-terror plans 'may not be legal'

Credit: Reuters

Two senior members of Parliament have voiced their concerns that the government's proposed expansion of existing anti-terrorism legislation may not be legal under international law.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell suggested the proposal to exclude UK nationals from Britain "might not be legal", not least because of obligations under international law.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve said he shared the concerns expressed about preventing British nationals from returning.

Not only does it offend principles of international law, it actually would offend basic principles of our own common law as well. I would recommend ... the best course must be to bring these individuals to justice.

– Dominic Grieve MP

More: Labour 'unclear' on government anti-terror plans

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Former top lawyer says anti-terror laws 'may not be legal'

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