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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 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 said it would be an attack on "fundamental freedoms". | The ex-Attorney General said 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 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. | The Conservatives, Lib Dems and an estimated 50 or so Labour rebels oppose moving beyond the current 28-day limit. |
| 'Sufficient protections' | 'Sufficient protections' |
| But Mr Straw said Labour MPs concerned about the plans were being offered more safeguards. | But Mr Straw said Labour MPs concerned about the plans were being offered more safeguards. |
| "The overwhelming majority of Labour members of parliament want to support the government on this," he said. | "The overwhelming majority of Labour members of parliament want to support the government on this," he said. |
| "They have anxieties about ensuring there are sufficient protections in this measure. | "They have 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." | "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 current 28-day maximum, according to the draft Counter-Terrorism Bill. | |
| Changing values | Changing values |
| If after 60 days they have not exercised that right, it would lapse and MPs would have to decide whether to renew it. | 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. | But now the government is expected to propose cutting the time period the emergency powers can be used to 30 days. |
| Extending the period suspects can be held without charge is a very serious incursion on our fundamental freedoms Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith Terror bill: Key elements | Extending the period suspects can be held without charge is a very serious incursion on our fundamental freedoms Former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith Terror bill: Key elements |
| 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. | 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. |
| Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Lord Goldsmith said passing the anti-terror bill would help destroy the "very basis of free society that our ancestors fought so hard to create". | Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Lord Goldsmith said passing the anti-terror bill would help destroy the "very basis of free society that our ancestors fought so hard to create". |
| The Labour peer, who was attorney general when Tony Blair made a failed bid to increase the detention limit to 90 days, said: "There can be no mistake that extending the period suspects can be held without charge is a very serious incursion on our fundamental freedoms." | The Labour peer, who was attorney general when Tony Blair made a failed bid to increase the detention limit to 90 days, said: "There can be no mistake that extending the period suspects can be held without charge is a very serious incursion on our fundamental freedoms." |
| His comments have been criticised by fellow Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, who asked why he "sat on his hands" when Mr Blair tried to increase the limit. | His comments have been criticised by fellow Labour peer Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, who asked why he "sat on his hands" when Mr Blair tried to increase the limit. |
| Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, she said: "Isn't it amazing how after office suddenly people discover what their values ought to be?'' | Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, she said: "Isn't it amazing how after office suddenly people discover what their values ought to be?'' |
| 'Best leader' | 'Best leader' |
| The draft bill could see Prime Minister Gordon Brown lose his first Commons vote. | |
| It could be the latest in a long line of embarrassments for the prime minister, who has been criticised over his handling of the 10p tax rate change and changes to car tax. | It could be the latest in a long line of embarrassments for the prime minister, who has been criticised over his handling of the 10p tax rate change and changes to car tax. |
| Labour is also still reeling from heavy defeats in recent local elections and the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. | Labour is also still reeling from heavy defeats in recent local elections and the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. |
| Mr Straw has once again been forced to defend Gordon Brown, dismissing speculation that he might be replaced as nonsense. | Mr Straw has once again been forced to defend Gordon Brown, dismissing speculation that he might be replaced as nonsense. |
| He told the BBC's Andrew Marr that replacing Mr Brown as Labour leader without a general election would be "unconstitutional". | He told the BBC's Andrew Marr that replacing Mr Brown as Labour leader without a general election would be "unconstitutional". |
| "Technically it would be unconstitutional, but it's not going to happen," he said. | "Technically it would be unconstitutional, but it's not going to happen," he said. |
| "He is the best leader we could possibly have and he will see us through these difficulties." | "He is the best leader we could possibly have and he will see us through these difficulties." |