Clarke offers safeguard over anti-terror plans

Charles Clarke has offered new judicial safeguards in a bid to save his controversial antiterrorist plans.

Under a new compromise, the Home Secretary would have to seek the approval of a judge much more quickly before putting a suspect under house arrest.

The move is aimed at winning round the Liberal Democrats and Labour MPs

who have objected to the plans because they give a politician, rather than the courts, the power to detain people.

MPs will vote on the amendment on Monday when the emergency Bill is due to clear the Commons. It faces a bigger revolt in the Lords. The Bill brings in control orders ranging from banning people from using phones to detention and travel curbs.