Tories 'will listen' over terror

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The Tories have promised to "listen to new evidence" for holding terror suspects for longer without charge.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne told the BBC his party was open-minded, but added it was "not convinced".

In 2005, Tories, Lib Dems and Labour backbenchers defeated government plans to hold suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems have praised Gordon Brown's "measured tone" in dealing with the recent terror attacks.

'Critical threat'

The national state of alert is now "critical" after two car bombs were found in London last Friday and a burning car was driven into Glasgow Airport on Saturday.

Mr Osborne told the BBC's Sunday AM that Conservative leader David Cameron had offered Mr Brown his full support and that a "cross-party approach" was needed, and that "particularly we need to look at some future point at new security laws".

I detect a measured tone, which I think is a good thing Lib Dem Nick Clegg on Gordon Brown

He added: "In moments like this when we face a critical security threat of course all politicians whatever their party try to work together and make sure the country is safe and secure."

On the possibility of extending the time a terror suspect can be held without charge beyond the current 28 days, Mr Osborne said: "At the moment we are not convinced.

"We are very happy to look at new evidence from the police, from the security services, from the prime minister himself...at the moment we are not convinced but we are ready to listen to new evidence."

He also said it was important to look at strategies such as using telephone intercept evidence and being allowed to question suspects after they are charged.

'Extremists'

Mr Brown said the UK would "not yield" to terrorism.

He also said: "We've got to separate if you like those great moderate members of our community from a few extremists who wish to practise both violence and inflict maximum loss of life in the interests of a perversion of their religion."

Lib Dem Home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg praised the prime minister's handling of the crisis.

He told Sky News: "I detect a measured tone, which I think is a good thing, and certainly is a significant departure from the somewhat breathless way which Tony Blair used to always rush to try to make frankly political points on the back of these events.

"And I think it would be a great departure from that precedent frankly if that were not to happen from now on."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith - only appointed to the job last Thursday - is expected to update MPs on the terror alert situation on Monday.