| with impeccable timing ... |
Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, was forced into a climbdown today over proposals to hold terrorist suspects for a maximum of 90 days without charge. Faced with cross-party opposition and a growing backbench rebellion within Labour, Mr Clarke said that he would table a proposal to amend the deadline in the Terrorism Bill.He said, however, that he would not reduce the proposed time suspects can be held without charge to the 28-day limit sought by the Opposition and some Labour backbenchers. Mr Clarke said: "I am considering precisely what figure I would table following further discussion with leaders today."
He said that he was disappointed that the measure, which he said was crucial to prevent further terrorist atrocities on British soil, had become a party political issue. He said that it had the backing of police, prosecuting authorities and up to three-quarters of the public.
None the less, the Prime Minister’s wish for the full 90 days would face almost certain defeat in the Commons, making concessions inevitable before the votes on Wednesday when the Terrorism Bill returns for its report stage.
The U-turn will be seen as a major setback for Labour, and in particular, Tony Blair who was expected to launch a passionate defence of the 90-day limit at his monthly press conference, which began shortly after Mr Clarke's announcement.