During the debate on the proposed 42-day detention without charge of terror suspects we were constantly told that such a move would make our legal system the most draconian in the Western world.

Organisations such as Liberty argued that no other comparable democracy holds suspects without charge for anywhere near as long. Italy, cited as one of many examples by the pressure group, held people for a maximum of four days, we were told.

Oh really? You may remember the dreadful case of Meredith Kercher, the Leeds University student murdered in November of last year while studying in Perugia, Italy.

Shortly after her body was discovered her flatmate and two men were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Since then – for more than seven months - they’ve been held in prison without charge. They were finally charged last week. It could be January before they finally face trial.

In truth in countries that operate inquisitorial legal systems, such as France, Italy, Germany and Spain, the authorities can hold suspects without charge for months or even years. The protections that originate in English common law do not hold.

Don’t believe all the propaganda the human rights activists try to feed you.