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MPs debate terror detention limit MPs debate terror detention limit
(about 7 hours later)
MPs are to debate the government's controversial proposals to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge. The government's controversial proposal to allow terror suspects to be detained for up to 42 days without charge is to be debated by MPs from about 1540 BST.
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is confident the government will succeed in getting its plans through.The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is confident the government will succeed in getting its plans through.
But there is opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a number of Labour backbenchers, who say the proposals are unnecessary.But there is opposition from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a number of Labour backbenchers, who say the proposals are unnecessary.
The current laws allow suspects to be detained for 28 days.The current laws allow suspects to be detained for 28 days.
Ms Smith has said that the 42-day detention would only be used temporarily and in exceptional circumstances.Ms Smith has said that the 42-day detention would only be used temporarily and in exceptional circumstances.
MPs would also get to debate the extension within 30 days of it being triggered. We have not lost any cases at all by going past the 28 day barrier at the moment Lord DearEx-chief constableWest Midlands Police
But according to BBC Political Correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti, that timescale could mean MPs are debating a case after a 42-day time period had lapsed. But Lord Dear - formerly Geoffrey Dear, the chief constable of West Midlands Police - is sceptical of the argument for longer detention.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We don't need an extension. The ex-attorney general has said so, many senior police officers I know and speak to privately say so.
"We have not lost any cases at all by going past the 28 day barrier at the moment."
A series of safeguards have been proposed by Ms Smith as ministers seek to win over enough Labour opponents to allow the proposals to go through.
They include giving MPs a debate within 30 days about any case of a suspect being held beyond 28 days.
The plans to extend the limit could also face an Equality and Human Rights Commission court challenge.The plans to extend the limit could also face an Equality and Human Rights Commission court challenge.
The commission says the proposed law Counter Terror Bill could contravene race equality legislation, as it is being established to deal with a particular religious and racial minority. The commission says the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill could contravene race equality legislation, as it is being established to deal with a particular religious and racial minority.