David Miranda Detention: MP asks police for explanation

Pressure is mounting on police to justify the detention of a journalist's partner under terror laws. Senior politicians and an independent reviewer have said police must explain why David Miranda was detained for nine hours at Heathrow Airport.

Miranda's partner, Glenn Greenwald, is a journalist who published documents leaked by US whistleblower Edward Snowden. Police have not said why Miranda was held, but he said he was kept in a room and quizzed by "six agents". Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said police must explain why terrorism powers were used. The foreign ministry of Brazil issued a document saying that Miranda, a Brazilian citizen, was detained without just cause. Journalists' groups have accused authorities of misusing terrorism laws. Bob Satchwell, of the Society of Editors said, "Journalism may be embarrassing and annoying for governments but it is not terrorism."