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| MPs grill Smith on terror plans | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Proposals to extend the limit on holding terrorism suspects without charge are being examined by MPs. | |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is facing questions from the Commons home affairs committee about her plans to increase the limit from 28 to 42 days. | |
| She says it would only be needed in "exceptional circumstances" and MPs would have the final say on its use. | She says it would only be needed in "exceptional circumstances" and MPs would have the final say on its use. |
| Ministers lost a bid to up the limit to 90 days in 2005. They face opposition from Tory, Lib Dem and some Labour MPs. | Ministers lost a bid to up the limit to 90 days in 2005. They face opposition from Tory, Lib Dem and some Labour MPs. |
| That vote, in 2005, handed Tony Blair his first Commons defeat as prime minister. Gordon Brown has said he wants a political consensus on the issue. | That vote, in 2005, handed Tony Blair his first Commons defeat as prime minister. Gordon Brown has said he wants a political consensus on the issue. |
| Ms Smith has said the move is necessary, because the UK faces a "serious and consistent threat from terrorism". | Ms Smith has said the move is necessary, because the UK faces a "serious and consistent threat from terrorism". |
| It has been argued that the increasing complexity of terrorist plots mean police will need to hold suspects for longer in future. | It has been argued that the increasing complexity of terrorist plots mean police will need to hold suspects for longer in future. |
| Under the government's proposals, unveiled last week, the home secretary would be able to immediately set a 42-day limit - if a joint report by a chief constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions supported it. | Under the government's proposals, unveiled last week, the home secretary would be able to immediately set a 42-day limit - if a joint report by a chief constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions supported it. |
| 'Messy and chaotic' | 'Messy and chaotic' |
| But she said there would be an important safeguard, because it would need to be approved by Parliament within 30 days. | But she said there would be an important safeguard, because it would need to be approved by Parliament within 30 days. |
| However, critics point out that because they are only required to vote within 30 days, a suspect could still be held for 42 days - even if Parliament eventually refuses permission. | However, critics point out that because they are only required to vote within 30 days, a suspect could still be held for 42 days - even if Parliament eventually refuses permission. |
| The Liberal Democrats have described the proposals as "messy and chaotic" - and a government attempt to "sweeten the pill" for rebels on its own backbenches. | The Liberal Democrats have described the proposals as "messy and chaotic" - and a government attempt to "sweeten the pill" for rebels on its own backbenches. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Ms Smith may also be questioned about the reported imminent release of four British residents held at Guantanamo Bay. | Ms Smith may also be questioned about the reported imminent release of four British residents held at Guantanamo Bay. |