STRIVING to find the balance between public safety and human rights in the war against terrorism is a hugely difficult challenge.

And it is right that Tony Blair should hold talks with other party leaders to try to win cross-party support for its anti-terrorism strategy.

But the right to a trial is a cornerstone of the justice system which cannot be shifted to one side, no matter how great the temptation.

We frequently hear governments argue that we must not let the terrorists win by changing our way of life. We must carry on as normally as possible, otherwise it is a submission to their threat.

If we go down the road of allowing politicians to decide who should be denied their freedom - whether at home or in prison - without intervention by the courts, it would be a radical and disturbing change in the way we run society.

The power to take away someone's liberty has to lie with the courts and not the Home Secretary.

We accept there are enormous difficulties. But giving up the principles of justice which we have cherished for generations has to be resisted.