42 days still needed, says Smith

Ms Smith proposed an alternative bill to use in an emergency Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said the power to hold terror suspects for up to 42 days is still needed to cope with a "potential catastrophe". Plans to extend the pre-charge detention limit from 28 days were thrown out in the Lords on Monday. But Ms Smith told the BBC she hoped the government could still "count on people's support" if such a measure had to be introduced in an emergency. The Conservatives said she should accept that her plans were finished. Peers rejected the 42 days proposal - passed by the Commons in June - by a majority of 191 votes. Emergency bill The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats both oppose the measure, which was also voted against on Monday by former Labour cabinet ministers Lord Irving, Lord Falconer and Lord Goldsmith. After the... [read full story]