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42-day extension "the right thing to do"

11/06/2008

Gordon Brown used his last public opportunity to champion the government's proposals to increase pre-charge detention times for terror suspects.

He told MPs plans to raise the amount of time an individual suspected of terror offences can be held without being charged from 28 to 42 days was "the right thing to do".

Despite heavy opposition to the counterterrorism bill from opposition parties and civil liberties groups, the government is expected to push the legislation through when MPs vote at 18:00 BST.

But the vote remains on a knife-edge, with up to 40 Labour MPs reported to be planning to rebel against the government or abstain.

In prime minister's questions Mr Brown was accused by David Cameron of failing to prove the increase in pre-charge detention was necessary.

"We're not going to fight terrorism effectively if we undermine our liberties," the Conservative party leader said.

But Mr Brown warned against "opposition for opposition's sake", as Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg claimed the proposal would be turned back by the House of Lords.

MPs are currently debating the new bill, which the government aims to introduced before, and not in the aftermath, of any potential major terrorist attack.

Beginning the debate, home secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The government believes that such a reserve power should be available for us if necessary to protect our national security and to protect our people against the threat we face from terrorism.

"That threat is real and it is serious."

Earlier on Wednesday a poll showed high levels of public support for the new measures.

A YouGov survey for the Daily Telegraph revealed 69 per cent of respondents backed raising the detention limit for terror suspects from 28 to 42 days in "exceptional circumstances".