Government defeated on illiberal terror law!

5.14.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Nov 2005

The Labour Government has just been defeated on a proposal to lock up terrorist suspects without trial for 90 days.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt commented "This is the first time since the Labour Government came to power in 1997 that it has been defeated in the House of Commons. To lock up somebody for the equivalent of a six month prison sentence without charge is a violation of the freedoms which we hold dear in a civilised society."

Civil liberties groups had compared the Labour Government's proposals to internment.

The vote was 322 (including Lorely Burt MP) to 291. 41 Labour MPs voted against the Government on a bill that the Prime Minister had staked his personal reputation on.

A second vote to limit the time suspects could be held without trial for 28 days was approved instead.