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Terror concessions being planned Terror concessions being planned
(10 minutes later)
The government is preparing to offer Labour MPs a major concession to avoid losing a vote on terror detentions, the BBC has learned.The government is preparing to offer Labour MPs a major concession to avoid losing a vote on terror detentions, the BBC has learned.
Ministers want to extend the limit suspects can be held without charge to 42 days, which many Labour MPs oppose.Ministers want to extend the limit suspects can be held without charge to 42 days, which many Labour MPs oppose.
To avoid losing a Commons vote, the government is to suggest halving the period during which police can enact these extra powers from 60 to 30 days.To avoid losing a Commons vote, the government is to suggest halving the period during which police can enact these extra powers from 60 to 30 days.
The BBC's James Landale said this was a "significant concession".The BBC's James Landale said this was a "significant concession".
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.
This could see Prime Minister Gordon Brown lose a Commons vote.This could see Prime Minister Gordon Brown lose a Commons vote.
We remain in consensus mode. This is too serious to leave to partisan politics Home Office Minister Tony McNultyWe remain in consensus mode. This is too serious to leave to partisan politics Home Office Minister Tony McNulty
The temporary powers granted to police would - under the Terror Bill as currently drafted - last for a maximum of 60 days before expiring automatically.The temporary powers granted to police would - under the Terror Bill as currently drafted - last for a maximum of 60 days before expiring automatically.
At the end of that period, any suspect who had been detained for longer than 28 days would have to be charged or released.At the end of that period, any suspect who had been detained for longer than 28 days would have to be charged or released.
But ministers are now preparing to reduce the period during which the police have the extra powers to 30 days.But ministers are now preparing to reduce the period during which the police have the extra powers to 30 days.
Our correspondent said: "This is a significant concession because it curtails police powers rather than improving the scrutiny of the way they are agreed."Our correspondent said: "This is a significant concession because it curtails police powers rather than improving the scrutiny of the way they are agreed."
"We remain in consensus mode. This is too serious to leave to partisan politics," said Home Office Minister Tony McNulty."We remain in consensus mode. This is too serious to leave to partisan politics," said Home Office Minister Tony McNulty.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he would rather "do the right thing" and lose, than back down on the 42-day limit.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he would rather "do the right thing" and lose, than back down on the 42-day limit.
The government wants to secure the support of the nine Democratic Unionist Party MPs for its plans.The government wants to secure the support of the nine Democratic Unionist Party MPs for its plans.
One possibility might be with offers of seats on the intelligence and security select committee.One possibility might be with offers of seats on the intelligence and security select committee.
Or it could be by ensuring income from the sale of surplus Army land in Northern Ireland stays in the province, rather than going to the Treasury. Or it could be by ensuring income from the sale of surplus Army land in Northern Ireland stays locally, rather than going to the Treasury.
Mr Brown's predecessor Tony Blair suffered his first Commons defeat when he tried to extend the limit to 90 days in 2005.Mr Brown's predecessor Tony Blair suffered his first Commons defeat when he tried to extend the limit to 90 days in 2005.