42-day detention plan defeated
14 Oct 08
But Home Secretary says proposal will form a separate piece of legislation
The UK Government's Counter Terrorism Bill will not contain the measure to increase the length of time terror suspects can be held without charge after a House of Lords defeat.
In an emergency statement last night, the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the proposal to increase the length of time from 28 to 42 days would be the subject of a separate piece of legislation to be brought before Parliament if necessary. Peers voted by a 191 majority against the extension.
Ms Smith said she took the security of Britain very seriously and that there were certain risks she was not prepared to take.
The Liberal Democrats Leader Nick Clegg said the move was a victory for civil liberties, while the Conservatives called on Ms Smith to admit she was abandoning the 42-day proposal. The Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve said that while his party were prepared to be firm on terrorism, there was no evidence that such a move would work.