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MPs 'will support terror plans' | MPs 'will support terror plans' |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Ministers are winning over rebel MPs on the controversial terror vote to extend detention without charge to 42 days, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. | |
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". |
Chief Whip Geoff Hoon said he was sure Labour backbenchers could be persuaded to support the extension from 28 days. | |
Mr Hoon said a package of concessions to be announced by the government would address their concerns. | |
'Sufficient protections' | 'Sufficient protections' |
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 limit. | |
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. | |
"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." |
Backbench concerns | |
BBC correspondents say the government is likely to offer two main concessions on the draft Counter-Terrorism Bill to try to appease Labour backbenchers:
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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 |
Mr Hoon said: "Bear in mind that we first published our proposals as long ago as January, the second reading was in March. | |
"Throughout that period there have been conversations asking them [Labour backbenchers] about their concerns. | |
"With the package of concessions that the government is about to publish, we are addressing them." | |
The government's former top lawyer, Lord Goldsmith, has repeated his condemnation of the plans. | |
Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the ex-attorney general 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." |
'Best leader' | 'Best leader' |
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 to Andrew Marr, she said: "Isn't it amazing how after office suddenly people discover what their values ought to be?'' | |
The draft bill could see Prime Minister Gordon Brown lose his first Commons vote. | 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 that replacing Mr Brown as Labour leader without a general election would be "unconstitutional". | He told the BBC 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." |