Responding to David Davis’s by-election victory, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has challenged the Conservative party on their commitment to civil liberties.

Nick Clegg said:

"David Davis has done well in keeping the issue of 42 days detention without trial in the spotlight. However, the challenge for his party is to stop being piecemeal protectors of liberty and realise that freedom is indivisible.

"How can the Conservatives credibly talk about human rights when they want to scrap the most powerful protector of our liberties, the Human Rights Act? How can David Cameron talk about safeguarding privacy while wanting to scrap data protection laws?

"The Conservatives are a long way from being defenders of liberty. David Davis’ lonely stand only highlights the big questions that still remain over whether the Conservatives really are committed to protecting our freedom."