[LazyScot]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

But when the UK government uses 'anti-terrorist' legislation against Icelandic banks - doesn't that undermine their credibility?

Yes.

That's why I said intention.

It's the old "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail" situation. Essential when a problem arises, the powers look in their legal toolbox and pull out whatever is to hand, without thinking about if it is appropriate. Hence, the problem is with the oversight of the powers to make sure they are used correctly. I personally have a lot of problems with the terrorism laws and they ways they are used, not least the extended detention before charge clauses. And that applies even when they are used on terrorists (I prefer the word "coward" here, but for clarity I'll stick with terrorist).