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11/06/2008
Decision On Terror Detention To Be Made Today
The decision on proposals to allow 42-day terror suspect detention will be made in parliament today.
However, it is expected that a concession will be offered to appease those who are against the extension.
It is understood that it will involve compensation of £3,000 a day for every day beyond the current limit of 28 days.
At the moment, terror suspects can be held for up to 28 days without charge, after which they must be charged or freed.
A number of Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs are opposed to the plans.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said that the proposed 42-day limit would only be used in "exceptional circumstances".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in an article in The Times newspaper last week that he "is under no illusion" that today's threats are "different in their scale and nature" from anything that has been faced before.
In order to defeat the government, up to 33 Labour MPs need to rebel - assuming all other MPs vote against it.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said that "it's perfectly reasonable that the State should look at some form of compensation" which is "above and beyond" the compensation packages available.
Frank Dobson, a prominent backbencher opposed to the detention plan says "28 days is quite long enough" and "this is one of the very few things that is actually in the Magna Carta and we need to sustain it".
The decision - which is expected to be very close - may hinge on how nine Northern Ireland-based Democratic Unionist Party MPs vote.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has made a direct appeal to DUP Leader, Peter Robinson, to urge him not to support the Government's attempt to introduce the 42 day detention.
"Wednesday's vote on this illiberal and unnecessary measure is an event whose consequences will be felt for many years to come. It is vital that everyone taking part is aware of what is at stake," he said.
A defeat for the government would be a crushing blow for Gordon Brown who has already suffered ill confidence from his party.
Read: Government May Sway Rebel MPs On Detention Laws
See: Fate Of Westminster Vote Up To DUP
(DS)(BMcC)
However, it is expected that a concession will be offered to appease those who are against the extension.
It is understood that it will involve compensation of £3,000 a day for every day beyond the current limit of 28 days.
At the moment, terror suspects can be held for up to 28 days without charge, after which they must be charged or freed.
A number of Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs are opposed to the plans.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said that the proposed 42-day limit would only be used in "exceptional circumstances".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in an article in The Times newspaper last week that he "is under no illusion" that today's threats are "different in their scale and nature" from anything that has been faced before.
In order to defeat the government, up to 33 Labour MPs need to rebel - assuming all other MPs vote against it.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said that "it's perfectly reasonable that the State should look at some form of compensation" which is "above and beyond" the compensation packages available.
Frank Dobson, a prominent backbencher opposed to the detention plan says "28 days is quite long enough" and "this is one of the very few things that is actually in the Magna Carta and we need to sustain it".
The decision - which is expected to be very close - may hinge on how nine Northern Ireland-based Democratic Unionist Party MPs vote.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has made a direct appeal to DUP Leader, Peter Robinson, to urge him not to support the Government's attempt to introduce the 42 day detention.
"Wednesday's vote on this illiberal and unnecessary measure is an event whose consequences will be felt for many years to come. It is vital that everyone taking part is aware of what is at stake," he said.
A defeat for the government would be a crushing blow for Gordon Brown who has already suffered ill confidence from his party.
Read: Government May Sway Rebel MPs On Detention Laws
See: Fate Of Westminster Vote Up To DUP
(DS)(BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
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09 November 2005
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
Blair defeated on terror vote
Tony Blair has been handed the first defeat of his Premiership as MPs voted against controversial plans to increase the maximum detention period for terror suspects to 90 days. The government lost the vote by 322 votes to 291 - a majority of 31. The vote was expected to be tight.
08 July 2008
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
Lords Debate Splits House
As the Government's controversial 42-day detention Bill is debated in the House of Lords later today, previous support for Gordon Brown's make-or-break Bill in the Commons by Northern Ireland's biggest party, the DUP, is again underling the fractious nature of its relationship with fellow unionists.
09 October 2007
Terror Plots 'Increasing' Warns Met Boss
The number of terrorist plots in the UK is increasing, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has warned. Sir Ian told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the number of people involved and the scale of the plots was "mounting year by year".
Terror Plots 'Increasing' Warns Met Boss
The number of terrorist plots in the UK is increasing, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has warned. Sir Ian told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the number of people involved and the scale of the plots was "mounting year by year".
07 November 2005
Blair defends 90-day detention plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair remains hopeful over plans to introduction 90-day detention for terror suspects, even as Home Secretary Charles Clarke apparently prepares a compromise deal on the controversial issue.
Blair defends 90-day detention plans
Prime Minister Tony Blair remains hopeful over plans to introduction 90-day detention for terror suspects, even as Home Secretary Charles Clarke apparently prepares a compromise deal on the controversial issue.
12 June 2008
Government Narrowly Win Detention Vote
The Government has cleared the first hurdle in the contentious terror suspect detention debate - but only by a small majority in the Commons.
Government Narrowly Win Detention Vote
The Government has cleared the first hurdle in the contentious terror suspect detention debate - but only by a small majority in the Commons.
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