Proposals to scupper terror detention plans published

PROPOSALS to scrap the Government's controversial plans to detain terror suspects for up to 42 days were published by MPs and peers today.

An influential committee suggested a series of amendments to the Counter-Terrorism Bill in a move which could form the focus of an expected backbench rebellion over the plans.

Gordon Brown will face the first major test of his Parliamentary authority when MPs vote on the Bill later this month, and today's document could prove crucial in that test.

The report by the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) said the Government's proposed system for pre-charge detention was "confused" and "fundamentally flawed."

JCHR chairman Andrew Dismore MP said: "Not only have we found no clear evidence of a need to go beyond the current 28 day maximum in the near future, we have also demonstrated in a series of reports that there is now a comprehensive alternative package of measures which together protect the public, whilst also reducing the risk of alienating minority communities.

"We are astonished that the Government have failed even to consider our proposed alternative."