Limit on holding terror suspects halved to 14 days

Ministers sparked a row today as they halved the time suspected terrorists can be held without charge to 14 days.

Home Office Minister Damian Green came under fire for the "shambolic" handling of the announcement and was accused of pandering to civil liberties campaigners.

But Mr Green insisted the decision not to renew the 28-day limit when it expires on Monday struck a "proper balance" between security and individual freedoms.

He told MPs the power, brought in by Tony Blair, had been intended as "exceptional" rather than the norm and had not been used since 2007.

Only 11 individuals had been held for more than 14 days since it was introduced five years ago, Mr Green said. Six of those were detained for the maximum 28 days, with three charged and three released.

"We are clear that 14 days should be the norm and that the law should reflect this," the minister said - though emergency laws will be drafted to restore 28 days if necessary.

Some MPs cheered as Mr Green made the surprise announcement, which comes ahead of a counter-terror policy review on Wednesday which will reform controversial control orders.

But shadow home secretary Ed Balls went on the attack, questioning the evidence behind the decision as well as its timing.

"This is a deeply arrogant way for the Government to treat this House and it is a shambolic way to make policy on vital issues of national security," he said.

And senior Tory MP Edward Leigh argued the 28 day limit should be retained to help protect Londoners.

"All the pressure on this comes from the civil liberties lobby," he told Mr Green.

"I urge you to put the safety of the British people first. I suspect that most people in London, if it's a choice between their daughters being blown up on a London Tube or a terrorist who hates everything that we stand for spending 28 days in relative comfort before they are charged, I think they would choose the latter."

Mr Green hit back by criticising Labour's "shocking record" on civil liberties and security.

"This Government will repair their mistakes in that area," he said.

"I think (the announcement) will be seen in the country as a significant step forward to achieving a proper balance between security and civil liberties which is the responsibility of any government."