Peers force terror plan climbdown

Oct 13 2008

The Government was forced into a humiliating climbdown after peers rejected controversial anti-terror laws.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith withdrew plans for extending pre-charge detention for terror suspects to 42 days in an emergency statement to the House of Commons after they were defeated in the Lords.

She said a new Bill which included the measures was written and ready to be made law if they were needed.

Ms Smith attacked opponents of the proposals, saying: "Some may take the security of the British people lightly. I do not."

Ms Smith said she was not prepared to leave the British people unprotected against the terror threat.

She accused critics of "being prepared to ignore the terrorist threat for fear of taking a tough but necessary decision".

Measures in the Counter Terrorism Bill to add two weeks to the pre-charge detention limit were defeated by a crushing 191 votes, including those of former Labour Lord Chancellors Lord Falconer and Lord Irvine.

Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti warned the campaign against the measures would fight on.

"Liberty has been overwhelmed by the public and parliamentary support for our campaign against this dangerous and counter-productive measure.

"Rest assured that if any government tries this again we will be ready."