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DUP counterterrorism bill deal denied by Brown

12/06/2008

Gordon Brown has denied striking a deal with Democratic Unionist party MPs over the 42-day terror detention vote in the Commons.

The prime minister was asked repeatedly during his monthly press conference whether a deal was agreed upon with the DUP MPs, who ultimately enabled the government to see the controversial counterterrorism bill through the Commons.

The bill was passed by 315 votes to 306, despite about 40 rebel Labour MPs siding with the Conservative party and Liberal Democrats against the government.

Mr Brown categorically denied any suggestion he offered the Northern Irish MPs concessions for their support.

"What price have we all paid for your victory?" was the first question about yesterday's vote.

"There was no deal," Mr Brown said. "The people who voted on this voted on principle. I regret the fact it wasn't possible to build a national consensus on this with the Conservative party."

Another reporter asked him to put his hand of his heart and promise there were no inducements or concessions with the DUP.

Why was Shawn Woodward, the Northern Ireland secretary, shuttling between Mr Brown's and the DUP's office, he was asked.

Mr Brown replied: "There was no deal. This is an issue of principle."

But the question just kept coming back. Again he was asked what he offered to MPs that extends beyond the area of counterterrorism. Again he insisted anyone that voted with the government did so out of principle.

Pushed on it again, Mr Brown grew clearly irritated. "You're sort of scraping the barrel now," Mr Brown says. "I said there's no deal. As a reporter perhaps you might be prepared to reflect the very strong views people have when terrorist acts can cause such carnage."

Journalists took that - and other suggestions they were downplaying the importance of terrorism - very badly.

A reporter from the Daily Mail suggested it's "disgusting" for Mr Brown to suggest the assembled media do not take terrorism seriously. He asked the prime minister if notes were taken at the DUP meetings. Mr Brown says that is not traditional, nor necessary.

"Why did you not manage to convince Labour party MPs and why did you have to rely on DUP MPs?" he is asked.