Highest court halts 'terror asset' seizures

The court allowed a challenge by five men who all had their assets frozen under an order brought in by Gordon Brown when he was Chancellor without a vote in Parliament.

A High Court judge outlawed the Treasury's powers as "unfair" and a breach of fundamental rights.

But that was later overruled by the Court of Appeal.

Yesterday's ruling was given by a panel of seven Supreme Court Justices, led by Lord Phillips, who sit in the highest court in the land.

The justices said that the issue in the appeals was whether Parliament intended to give the Treasury power to make orders that "interfere so profoundly with individuals fundamental rights without parliamentary scrutiny".

The court held that parliament "did not so intend" and in making the orders the Treasury exceeded its powers.

West faces Yemen challenge to combat terror: Page 13.