This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7668655.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Campaigners joy at 42-days defeat Campaigners hail 42 days defeat
(10 minutes later)
Civil liberties campaigners are celebrating after the government was forced to shelve the most controversial part of its counter-terrorism policy.Civil liberties campaigners are celebrating after the government was forced to shelve the most controversial part of its counter-terrorism policy.
Plans to extend pre-charge detention from a maximum of 28 days to 42 were defeated in the Lords by 191 votes.Plans to extend pre-charge detention from a maximum of 28 days to 42 were defeated in the Lords by 191 votes.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is now set to push on with the Counter Terrorism Bill without the 42-days proposal.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is now set to push on with the Counter Terrorism Bill without the 42-days proposal.
Campaign group Liberty said it had been overwhelmed by the support for its fight against "this dangerous measure".
Labour rebels have warned that any attempt to resurrect the idea will be resisted steadfastly.Labour rebels have warned that any attempt to resurrect the idea will be resisted steadfastly.
Former Labour Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said the climbdown was "absolutely the right decision" as the measure was "not only unnecessary but also dangerous".Former Labour Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said the climbdown was "absolutely the right decision" as the measure was "not only unnecessary but also dangerous".
The home secretary's alternative legislation was a non-starter unless there was an extremely different scenario facing the UK, he added.The home secretary's alternative legislation was a non-starter unless there was an extremely different scenario facing the UK, he added.
"I think what happened today demonstrates that if they ever did try to bring it forward, it would not get through.""I think what happened today demonstrates that if they ever did try to bring it forward, it would not get through."
Shami Chakrabarti, director of campaign group Liberty warned the campaign against the measures would go on.Shami Chakrabarti, director of campaign group Liberty warned the campaign against the measures would go on.
"Liberty has been overwhelmed by the public and parliamentary support for our campaign against this dangerous and counter-productive measure," she said."Liberty has been overwhelmed by the public and parliamentary support for our campaign against this dangerous and counter-productive measure," she said.
'Biggest defeat''Biggest defeat'
Ms Smith said instead the measure would be in a separate piece of legislation to be brought to Parliament if needed.Ms Smith said instead the measure would be in a separate piece of legislation to be brought to Parliament if needed.
The Tories said she should just say she was abandoning 42 days. The Lib Dems said it was a "humiliating retreat".The Tories said she should just say she was abandoning 42 days. The Lib Dems said it was a "humiliating retreat".
The government's plan to extend the period for which police can hold terrorist suspects before charging them squeezed through the Commons in June by just nine votes.The government's plan to extend the period for which police can hold terrorist suspects before charging them squeezed through the Commons in June by just nine votes.
On Monday, it was defeated by a majority of 191 votes in the Lords, described by the Conservative former shadow home secretary David Davis as "the biggest defeat in the Lords in living memory".On Monday, it was defeated by a majority of 191 votes in the Lords, described by the Conservative former shadow home secretary David Davis as "the biggest defeat in the Lords in living memory".
In a forceful statement to MPs less than two hours after the vote, Ms Smith said: "I deeply regret that some have been prepared to ignore the terrorist threat, for fear of taking a tough but necessary decision."In a forceful statement to MPs less than two hours after the vote, Ms Smith said: "I deeply regret that some have been prepared to ignore the terrorist threat, for fear of taking a tough but necessary decision."
The decision to prepare emergency legislation instead is merely a fig leaf which does little to disguise their defeat Nick CleggLib Dem leader Peers throw out 42-day planAnalysis: Tactical retreat?The decision to prepare emergency legislation instead is merely a fig leaf which does little to disguise their defeat Nick CleggLib Dem leader Peers throw out 42-day planAnalysis: Tactical retreat?
She said she had prepared a new bill which would allow the director of public prosecutions to apply to the courts to question a terrorist suspect for up to 42 days "should the worst happen".She said she had prepared a new bill which would allow the director of public prosecutions to apply to the courts to question a terrorist suspect for up to 42 days "should the worst happen".
She said Britain still needed to "be prepared to deal with the worst", adding: "My priority remains the protection of the British people.She said Britain still needed to "be prepared to deal with the worst", adding: "My priority remains the protection of the British people.
"I don't believe as some honourable members clearly do that it's enough to simply cross our fingers and hope for the best. That is not good enough.""I don't believe as some honourable members clearly do that it's enough to simply cross our fingers and hope for the best. That is not good enough."
'Political posturing''Political posturing'
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said the prime minister's spin doctors had stopped Ms Smith from "saying in straightforward terms that she is abandoning 42 days".Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said the prime minister's spin doctors had stopped Ms Smith from "saying in straightforward terms that she is abandoning 42 days".
He told Ms Smith: "You somewhat demean yourself when you, yet again, come back to this argument that those who oppose the government's measures are weak on terrorism."He told Ms Smith: "You somewhat demean yourself when you, yet again, come back to this argument that those who oppose the government's measures are weak on terrorism."
He said the Conservatives were "perfectly prepared to be firm on terrorism" and pass difficult bills.He said the Conservatives were "perfectly prepared to be firm on terrorism" and pass difficult bills.
Lords reject 42-day detention planLords reject 42-day detention plan
"But they have to be credible, they have to be based on evidence and they must not be put forward in a way that smacks of mere political posturing and gimmicks.""But they have to be credible, they have to be based on evidence and they must not be put forward in a way that smacks of mere political posturing and gimmicks."
Mr Davis, who resigned his seat in protest at the Commons vote on 42 days in June, described the move as a "spectacular climbdown".Mr Davis, who resigned his seat in protest at the Commons vote on 42 days in June, described the move as a "spectacular climbdown".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg added: "The decision to prepare emergency legislation instead is merely a fig leaf which does little to disguise their defeat."Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg added: "The decision to prepare emergency legislation instead is merely a fig leaf which does little to disguise their defeat."
He added: "The push for 42 days' detention was more about ministers posturing and looking tough than it ever was about fighting terrorism."He added: "The push for 42 days' detention was more about ministers posturing and looking tough than it ever was about fighting terrorism."