42-day detention transcends party politics - Clegg

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 12th Jun 2008

Commenting on David Davis's announcement that he will be resigning his seat to fight a by-election on the issue of 42-day detention, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:

"David Davis's decision to resign his seat and fight a by-election over the issue of 42 days is a dramatic move. I am grateful to him for having informed me following the vote of his intention to take this step.

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed this unnecessary and illiberal proposal which poses a threat so serious to British liberties that it transcends party politics.

"I have therefore decided, after consultation with the Party nationally and locally, that we will not stand a candidate at the forthcoming by-election which will be contested by David Davis solely on this issue.

"The Liberal Democrats will of course fight the Haltemprice and Howden seat as vigorously as ever at the next General Election."