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Smith hopeful over 42 days vote Smith hopeful over 42 days vote
(10 minutes later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is hopeful the government will win its bid to extend detention of terror suspects without charge from 28 days to 42 days.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith says she is hopeful the government will win its bid to extend detention of terror suspects without charge from 28 days to 42 days.
She told the BBC she is "not giving up" efforts to win over up to 50 Labour rebels: "I hope we've moved to a set of proposals people feel able to support."She told the BBC she is "not giving up" efforts to win over up to 50 Labour rebels: "I hope we've moved to a set of proposals people feel able to support."
But it is unclear how many potential rebels have been won over.But it is unclear how many potential rebels have been won over.
From those who have spoken, Frank Doran says he now backs the plans - but John Grogan and David Winnick still oppose.From those who have spoken, Frank Doran says he now backs the plans - but John Grogan and David Winnick still oppose.
The prime minister's spokesman said it was "certainly not the case that this vote is in the bag and there is more to do over the days ahead".The prime minister's spokesman said it was "certainly not the case that this vote is in the bag and there is more to do over the days ahead".
He added that the government was "confident of its arguments", but that some reports about winning over MPs were "ahead of the game".He added that the government was "confident of its arguments", but that some reports about winning over MPs were "ahead of the game".
'Exceptional''Exceptional'
Ms Smith addressed doubters in a meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening and in a string of media interviews.Ms Smith addressed doubters in a meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening and in a string of media interviews.
She insisted safeguards would ensure the proposed 42-day limit would be used only in "grave and exceptional" circumstances.She insisted safeguards would ensure the proposed 42-day limit would be used only in "grave and exceptional" circumstances.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We believe that it is right now to bring into place this reserve power, which won't mean anybody being held longer, but will give us the ability to go and make a case to the judge about a given individual.She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We believe that it is right now to bring into place this reserve power, which won't mean anybody being held longer, but will give us the ability to go and make a case to the judge about a given individual.
We should not give up lightly liberties which have taken centuries to establish John Grogan Labour MP Labour rebel watch We should not give up lightly liberties which have taken centuries to establish John Grogan Labour MP Labour rebel watch class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7193910.stm">Q&A: Preventing extremism
"Any home secretary using these powers will want to think very, very carefully about how they are going to explain it to Parliament, whether or not they are going to get parliamentary approval," she said."Any home secretary using these powers will want to think very, very carefully about how they are going to explain it to Parliament, whether or not they are going to get parliamentary approval," she said.
MPs may also be given "independent legal advice" about the home secretary's decision "to help to inform that debate".MPs may also be given "independent legal advice" about the home secretary's decision "to help to inform that debate".
She said some MPs, understood to be members of the Intelligence and Security Committee, will get confidential briefings on a "privy council basis" about individual cases before the debate takes place.She said some MPs, understood to be members of the Intelligence and Security Committee, will get confidential briefings on a "privy council basis" about individual cases before the debate takes place.
"What I'm concerned about is that we do the right thing for the UK, the right thing for people's rights, and that is that we avoid a terrorist attack as well as the rights that we completely and importantly have to afford to defendants," she said."What I'm concerned about is that we do the right thing for the UK, the right thing for people's rights, and that is that we avoid a terrorist attack as well as the rights that we completely and importantly have to afford to defendants," she said.
'Lot of work to do''Lot of work to do'
"Finding that balance is a difficult job: that's why we've been talking about it for so long, and it's why I hope we've moved to a set of proposals that people feel able to support.""Finding that balance is a difficult job: that's why we've been talking about it for so long, and it's why I hope we've moved to a set of proposals that people feel able to support."
After Labour's meeting all were agreed that the home secretary had put in the performance of her life Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Nick Robinson's blogAfter Labour's meeting all were agreed that the home secretary had put in the performance of her life Nick RobinsonBBC Political Editor Nick Robinson's blog
A number of Conservatives, Lib Dems and dozens of Labour MPs remain opposed to the plans.A number of Conservatives, Lib Dems and dozens of Labour MPs remain opposed to the plans.
But police minister Tony McNulty said he now believed a vote in the Commons next week could be won in the wake of Ms Smith's pledges.But police minister Tony McNulty said he now believed a vote in the Commons next week could be won in the wake of Ms Smith's pledges.
Mr McNulty told BBC Radio 5 Live he believed those opponents appeared "to be shifting back to the government's way".Mr McNulty told BBC Radio 5 Live he believed those opponents appeared "to be shifting back to the government's way".
"There's still a lot of work to do, but I'm very hopeful," he said."There's still a lot of work to do, but I'm very hopeful," he said.
'Powerful speech''Powerful speech'
Aberdeen North MP Frank Doran had planned to vote against the government, but said he had now changed his mind.Aberdeen North MP Frank Doran had planned to vote against the government, but said he had now changed his mind.
He said the "ground is shifting" and although a hard-core of rebels would not be moved, "those in the middle who have had doubts will have heard a lot [from Jacqui Smith] that will have satisfied them".He said the "ground is shifting" and although a hard-core of rebels would not be moved, "those in the middle who have had doubts will have heard a lot [from Jacqui Smith] that will have satisfied them".
But Labour MP John Grogan said while Ms Smith had made a "powerful speech", he was still not convinced she had made the case on security grounds for extending the 28-day limit.But Labour MP John Grogan said while Ms Smith had made a "powerful speech", he was still not convinced she had made the case on security grounds for extending the 28-day limit.
He told the BBC: "We should not give up lightly liberties which have taken centuries to establish. Reluctantly, I still can't support the government."He told the BBC: "We should not give up lightly liberties which have taken centuries to establish. Reluctantly, I still can't support the government."
Mr Winnick, said: "I haven't changed my views in anyway whatsoever. I don't believe there's any evidence to go beyond 28 days."Mr Winnick, said: "I haven't changed my views in anyway whatsoever. I don't believe there's any evidence to go beyond 28 days."
Other concessions are likely to include an earlier Parliamentary vote on any decision to allow a terror suspect to be held for 42 days, a shorter period in which the powers could be used, and a tight definition of the circumstances in which they could be implemented.Other concessions are likely to include an earlier Parliamentary vote on any decision to allow a terror suspect to be held for 42 days, a shorter period in which the powers could be used, and a tight definition of the circumstances in which they could be implemented.
Currently terrorist suspects can be held for up to 28 days before they have to be charged or released without charge.Currently terrorist suspects can be held for up to 28 days before they have to be charged or released without charge.
The concessions are expected to be outlined in the form of amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Bill. MPs are to vote on the proposals next week.The concessions are expected to be outlined in the form of amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Bill. MPs are to vote on the proposals next week.
On Monday, Mr Brown said the "scale and complexity" of the terrorist threat facing Britain provided compelling evidence of the need to increase the amount of time suspects could be held without charge.On Monday, Mr Brown said the "scale and complexity" of the terrorist threat facing Britain provided compelling evidence of the need to increase the amount of time suspects could be held without charge.
Security services are pursuing about 2,000 terrorists, 30 potential plots and 200 networks, he said.Security services are pursuing about 2,000 terrorists, 30 potential plots and 200 networks, he said.
Writing in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph, Former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Peter Clarke, said the 28-day limit would "undoubtedly" soon be insufficient and criticised the politicisation of the debate over the issue.Writing in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph, Former Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Peter Clarke, said the 28-day limit would "undoubtedly" soon be insufficient and criticised the politicisation of the debate over the issue.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has accused the Tories of behaving in an "unprincipled" manner over the controversial proposals.Justice Secretary Jack Straw has accused the Tories of behaving in an "unprincipled" manner over the controversial proposals.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "I shall refrain, at this stage, from commenting on the government's reported tactics, both with their own party and other parties.Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "I shall refrain, at this stage, from commenting on the government's reported tactics, both with their own party and other parties.
"Its approach now clearly smacks of desperation.""Its approach now clearly smacks of desperation."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "The hard politics is very simple: are Labour MPs prepared to defend British civil liberties even if it's at the cost of their own party leader?"Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "The hard politics is very simple: are Labour MPs prepared to defend British civil liberties even if it's at the cost of their own party leader?"