New anti-terror jail to replace Paddington Green

A new maximum security police station to hold up to 30 terrorism suspects "for protracted periods" is being planned to replace the 1960s Paddington Green police station in London.

Tony McNulty, the counter-terrorism minister, told MPs and peers yesterday it was now "well accepted" that the office block-style Paddington Green, which has held the most high-profile terrorist suspects from across England and Wales for more than 35 years, has had its day.

He acknowledged the fate of Paddington Green as he told parliament that the government intends to introduce as counter-terrorism bill, allowing terror suspects to be held more than 28 days without charge, before Christmas.

He also said the legislation would allow high court judges to authorise continued detention of terror suspects without charge by video link without the suspects being present in the court.

Ministers justify the move on the grounds that it "removes the disruption to London traffic" caused by security convoys moving suspects around the capital.