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Peers throw out 42-day detention Peers throw out 42-day detention
(20 minutes later)
The House of Lords has rejected the government's controversial plans to extend the period terrorist suspects can be held without charge to 42 days. Peers have rejected the government's controversial plans to extend the limit on pre-charge detention of terror suspects by a large majority.
Peers threw out the plans, which got through the Commons by only nine votes in June, by 309 votes to 118. The House of Lords voted to keep the limit at 28 days by 309 votes to 118 - a majority of 191.
The government is to make a statement in the Commons at 2030 BST.
Last week ministers said the plan would return to MPs if defeated but there has been speculation it might be dropped rather than risk a Commons defeat.Last week ministers said the plan would return to MPs if defeated but there has been speculation it might be dropped rather than risk a Commons defeat.
The government failed in 2005 to extend pre-charge detentions to 90 days. In June it passed through the Commons by only nine votes.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Monday's result was a much bigger defeat than had been expected.
Crossbencher Lord Dear, who tabled the amendment to keep the pre-charge detention limit at 28 days, called ministers' plan "fatally flawed".
Opening the debate, he said: "This attempt to appear tough on terrorism, I believe, is a shabby charade which is unworthy of a democratic process and we should reject it."
But Security Minister Lord West warned peers: "If it is rejected and the government is right... it could mean dangerous terrorists are released to commit atrocities."
Several peers did not vote along party lines. Former lord chancellor Lord Falconer said he would vote against the government "with a heavy heart", while the former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit said he would vote with the government.
The government failed in 2006 to extend pre-charge terror detention to a maximum of 90 days. Instead, the current 28-day limit was agreed as a compromise.