Discusses the finding of discrimination by the House of Lords in A v Secretary of State for the Home Department on whether the detention without trial of foreign nationals suspected of terrorist offences under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 breached the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 arts 5 and 14. Considers the implications of the decision in terms of the UK's adoption of European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence following the Human Rights Act 1998. Examines the application of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 s.4, the significance of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, and potential consequences for governments seeking to maintain public security.