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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MPs 'will support terror plans' | MPs 'will support terror plans' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Ministers are winning over Labour rebels on the controversial terror detention vote, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. | Ministers are winning over Labour rebels on the controversial terror detention vote, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. |
| It comes as the government's former top lawyer, Lord Goldsmith, repeated his condemnation of plans to hold terror suspects for 42 days without charge. | It comes as the government's former top lawyer, Lord Goldsmith, repeated his condemnation of plans to hold terror suspects for 42 days without charge. |
| The ex-Attorney General says it would be an attack on "fundamental freedoms". | The ex-Attorney General says it would be an attack on "fundamental freedoms". |
| Mr Straw told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show the law would only be triggered in a "grave terrorist emergency". | Mr Straw told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show the law would only be triggered in a "grave terrorist emergency". |
| The government is facing a tough parliamentary battle to extend the limit on holding terror suspects without charge. | |
| The Conservatives, Lib Dems and an estimated 50 or so Labour rebels oppose moving beyond the current 28-day limit. | |
| 'Sufficient protections' | |
| But Mr Straw said Labour MPs concerned about the plans were being offered concessions. | |
| "The overwhelming majority of Labour members of parliament want to support the government on this," he said. | |
| "They have got anxieties about ensuring there are sufficient protections in this measure. | |
| "It is very important that we have on the statute books powers and facilities which are available to the police and the courts in exceptional circumstances in a grave terrorist emergency." | |
| In the event of a major terrorist incident, there would be a 60-day window for police to apply for permission to hold a named suspect longer than the normal permitted maximum, according to the draft Terror Bill. | |
| If after 60 days they have not exercised that right, it would lapse and MPs would have to decide whether to renew it. | |
| But now the government is expected to propose cutting the time period the emergency powers can be used to 30 days. | |
| If officers did not use the emergency powers until the end of 30-day period, they would only be allowed to hold their suspect for a further 12 days without charge. |