Government must admit mistake over 42 days

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2008

Commenting ahead of the committee stage of the Counter Terrorism Bill today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Today's committee represents the Government's last chance to admit the mistake they've made in wanting to extend pre-charge detention to 42 days.

"If ministers continue to press ahead with their ill-judged plans, they will be staring down the barrel of a humiliating defeat in the Commons.

"Gordon Brown must learn to listen and back down in the face of mounting opposition, as he did over the 10p rate, or risk further damaging his reputation after last week's crushing election defeats."

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Responding to Charles Clarke's assertion that plans for 42 days' detention without trial should be abandoned by the Government, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"Charles Clarke has joined the growing consensus of politicians from all sides in believing that extending detention without charge beyond 28 days is unnecessary and possibly counterproductive.

"Gordon Brown must back down now or risk a humiliating defeat that will further undermine his already flagging premiership."