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Sweeping new emergency legal powers to deal with the aftermath of a large terrorist attack in Britain are being considered by the government.
The measures could potentially outlaw participation in a protest march, such as last week's demonstrations during President Bush's state visit, making it, in effect, a criminal offence to criticise government policy.
In an attempt to give the UK government similar powers to those rushed through in the US after the 9/11 attack on New York in 2001, it is understood that a beefed-up version of current civil contingencies law is being considered. It will allow the government to bypass or suspend key parts of the UK's human rights laws without the authority of parliament.
This week's Queen's Speech will see the most radical programme any government has put forward, Peter Hain has said.
The Commons leader told BBC One's Politics Show "everybody will be excited" by the legislation planned for the next year.
Measures to crack down on terrorism, illegal immigration and failed asylum seekers will be one of the centrepieces, he said, but they have already sparked controversy.