Posted on 03/07/2004 7:55:11 AM PST by knighthawk
Home Secretary David Blunkett is heading to the United States today for high-profile discussions on combating terrorism.
Mr Blunkett is due to visit Washington DC and Boston where he will speak on the challenge of balancing anti-terror laws with human rights.
The politician, in his second major overseas visit this year, is also expected to urge the US to join forces with Britain to shut down Internet porn sites.
Following a meeting between Mr Blunkett and relatives of murdered teacher Jane Longhurst on Thursday, a Home Office spokeswoman said ministers were keen to secure "international co-operation" to ban the cyber-porn which fuelled her killer's obsession with violent sex.
Another topic on the agenda at the meeting with US Attorney General John Ashcroft will be Britain's plans to create its own FBI-style force to tackle serious and organised crime.
"The purpose of the visit is to continue bilateral work with the USA on a number of issues particularly counter-terrorism," the spokeswoman said.
"The Home Secretary will be meeting the President's most senior security adviser, General John Gordon, at the White House.
"He will be discussing the work done by the Joint Contact Group, which for the past year has involved experts from both the UK and USA in the field of counter-terrorism, working together and sharing information on such matters as aviation security, biometrics and scientific co-operation.
"The aim is to ensure everything is in place at the highest level to enable that essential work to continue."
She said Mr Blunkett would discuss with Mr Ashcroft "progress in the fight against organised crime and be comparing his plans for the new serious organised crime agency with the FBI, particularly around how to deliver successful prosecutions".
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