MPs back police anti-terror power

Police will be able to hold terror suspects for twice as long

A move to allow terrorism suspects to be held by police for up to 28 days without charge has been backed by MPs.

In November Tony Blair suffered his first defeat as PM when MPs threw out plans to allow police to hold suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

The 28 days was a compromise, but is still double the current 14 days.

The change is one of a series of measures aimed at tackling terrorism. Critics are concerned that some of the powers will erode civil liberties.

The power was enacted without a vote by MPs - as the matter had been decided in principle at the end of last year.

MPs briefly debated the code of conduct which will apply to the detentions and then "nodded" the measure through.