Pride and Prejudice actor Colin Firth was among Friday's protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, campaigning against the government's decision to extend the use of detention for asylum seekers. Last week the immigration bill received its royal assent, a move which Home Secretary Jack Straw ensured would make positive changes to the the present system.
But figures from The Refugee Council reveal that the UK detains more asylum seekers than any other country in Europe without judicial review. "It is shameful that a country calling itself civilised detains hundreds of people a year coming here in search of liberty," said Firth, who helped to extend a paper chain - made from 800 pledges of support - around the grounds.