Zack Polanski's Greens plot to weaken laws for suspected terrorists

Counter-terror legislation currently allows police officers to arrest individuals "reasonably suspected" of being terrorists and keep them detained without charge for as long as 14 days.

Meanwhile, police can hold those arrested over other serious crimes for up to 36 hours.

The Telegraph revealed that the draft Green Party policy document stated those accused of aiding and abetting terror acts “should have normal rights against arbitrary arrest or imprisonment”.

Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy condemned the Green Party's proposed policy.

He told The Telegraph: “Terrorism is a very real and serious threat. We need a justice system that allows our police and security services to act decisively, but the Greens want the opposite.

“Their policies would weaken counter-terror powers, making it harder for the authorities to act quickly when lives are at stake.”

However, the Green Party policy is believed to be motivated by Sir Keir Starmer's decision to proscribe Palestine Action.

Activists from the group have been detained under terror laws.

Three Palestine Action activists were arrested and detained last June after an incident at RAF Brize Norton.

Mr Polanski continues to criticise the Labour Government for proscribing Palestine Action.

The Green Party leader later welcomed the High Court's judgment that found the ban to be unlawful.

Mr Polanski also issued a statement welcoming the acquittal of four Palestine Action activists.

The quartet had been charged with aggravated burglary.

However, the Police Federation publicly condemned Mr Polanski, accusing the Green Party leader of downplaying the fact that a police officer had been struck with a sledgehammer.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on the charge, leading to a retrial.

A Labour Party source said: “Calling for softer treatment for those accused of terrorist offences, Zack Polanski’s Green Party has shown it is not serious about public safety.”

There are also concerns that watering down terror laws at a time of high tensions in the Middle East could prove particularly damaging.

The Green Party has already passed a motion calling to proscribe the Israel Defence Forces as a terror group.

Mr Polanski claimed there was a "moral imperative" to support the motion.

Meanwhile, Mr Polanski insisted the decision to proscribe Palestine Action must be "withdrawn".

A Green Party spokesman said: “We will be setting out our detailed plans for government at the time of the next general election, just as we did at the last general election.

“We are a democratic party and our members will be shaping our priorities, and we are sure our next manifesto will continue to make the case for hard won human rights as opposed to the Labour Government, which is trying so hard to erode them.”