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Fresh bid over terror detentions Smith plans 42-day terror limit
(about 2 hours later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is due to announce the government's revised plans to extend the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced plans to extend the period that terrorism suspects can be held without charge for up to 42 days.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had said a "growing weight of opinion" backed extending limits in certain situations. In an attempt to win over critics, it is planned to give MPs a role in any decision to let police hold suspects for more than the current 28-day limit.
Ministers have struggled to find support for increasing the detention period beyond the current 28 days. Ms Smith said 42 days would be needed only in "exceptional circumstances".
It is thought a compromise will be suggested, with MPs' approval sought if someone was to be held for longer. Ministers have come up against strong opposition from Tories, Lib Dems and some Labour MPs over terror detentions.
A 42-day limit has apparently been discussed. Previously ministers had proposed extensions to 56 or 58 days. 'Murder and mayhem'
Ms Smith told the BBC there was a "serious and consistent threat from terrorism".
She added: "In order to ensure we prosecute people who want to cause murder and mayhem on our streets, we may well need to hold them longer to do that."
Ms Smith also said: "We need to legislate now for the exceptional circumstances that there might be in the future."
The home secretary will have the power to set a 42-day limit.
Ms Smith said: "To emphasise that the higher limit is exceptional, it must be approved by Parliament within 30 days."
Ministers recently proposed extending the terror detention limit to 56 or 58 days.
Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism David DavisShadow home secretary Detention law around worldSend us your comments
The 28-day limit was itself a compromise, after former prime minister Tony Blair failed to convince Parliament to increase it to 90 days in 2005.
Apart from ministers, the government-appointed reviewer of terror laws, Lord Carlile, has said he thinks there is a case for extending the detention limit.Apart from ministers, the government-appointed reviewer of terror laws, Lord Carlile, has said he thinks there is a case for extending the detention limit.
But civil liberties groups have accused ministers of abandoning consensus and playing politics with terror laws.But civil liberties groups have accused ministers of abandoning consensus and playing politics with terror laws.
Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism David DavisShadow home secretary Detention law around worldSend us your comments
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, the former Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, and for a short while the Security Minister Lord West, all expressed doubts that longer detention was needed.
The Home Affairs Committee, which meets to consider the issue later, is also believed to be unconvinced.The Home Affairs Committee, which meets to consider the issue later, is also believed to be unconvinced.
But a Home Office spokesman said: "We believe there is a case for going beyond 28 days in the future.
"We have consulted widely on how this might work in exceptional circumstances."
Terror 'arms race'Terror 'arms race'
Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties campaign group Liberty, accused the government of abandoning attempts to build a consensus on the issue.Shami Chakrabarti, director of civil liberties campaign group Liberty, accused the government of abandoning attempts to build a consensus on the issue.
"It seems more like politics than policy-making to me. I think it is a real mistake as I've never seen such good will in the House of Commons," she said."It seems more like politics than policy-making to me. I think it is a real mistake as I've never seen such good will in the House of Commons," she said.
"I believed there was a unique opportunity to end the arms race on terror laws, to actually achieve something that would last beyond just one government.""I believed there was a unique opportunity to end the arms race on terror laws, to actually achieve something that would last beyond just one government."
Liberty and the Conservatives have argued that current powers to call a national emergency are sufficient when faced with a case that requires going beyond 28 days. The Conservatives and civil rights group Liberty have argued that current powers to call a national emergency are sufficient when faced with a case that requires going beyond 28 days.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said every piece of evidence had been against extending the limit.Shadow home secretary David Davis said every piece of evidence had been against extending the limit.
"Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism," he said."Not only is it a breach of fundamental liberties enjoyed for centuries by the British people, it is likely to prove counter-productive in the fight against terrorism," he said.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg accused the government of "using a sledgehammer to crack open a vexatious and divisive debate in Parliament".Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg accused the government of "using a sledgehammer to crack open a vexatious and divisive debate in Parliament".