Clegg attacks NHS inequality and proposed 42 day terror detention limit

9.07.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Jan 2008

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has launched an attack on the way the NHS is run, describing it as a service in "crisis". In his first major television interview since becoming leader, Mr Clegg said "it is one of the most unequal health services in the modern world." He also predicted Gordon Brown would suffer his first parliamentary defeat over 42 day terror detention, following the expected publication of the Counter-Terrorism Bill later this week. The Lib Dem health policy paper will be published tomorrow and will be debated at party conference in March.

Nick Clegg, Liberal Democrat Leader said "Britain has one of the most unequal health services in the modern world. If you look at some of the best health services that produce the most equal outcomes they have let go of control from the centre and released the sort of grass roots demand and entitlements that lifts standards across the board. You cannot ask Parliament to legislate hypothetically when there is no evidence that you really need to do so on something as important as the balance between how long the police can lock you up before actually bringing a charge."