'Retreat' over terror laws

Ministers are preparing a major retreat over plans to put British and foreign terrorist suspects under house arrest, it was reported today.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke is expected to redraft the proposals so that only judges can impose control orders.

Labour has faced a massive backlash over Mr Clarke's original plans which would have given the Home Secretary the personal right to order the house arrest of a British subject without trial.

Government whips had warned ministers they would face a rebellion from Labour MPs if they had pressed ahead.

Pressure for a climbdown increased after the Attorney General reportedly advised that a court challenge to any control order issued by the Home Secretary would probably succeed.

Tony Blair has agreed to meet the opposition leader Michael Howard to see if a cross-party agreement can be reached on how best to deal with terror suspects.

Mr Clarke came up with the plans for house arrest in the wake of a court ruling that holding foreign suspects in Belmarsh breached their human rights.

The redrawn Bill, expected on 25 February, will still contain sanctions against terror suspects, including house arrest, tagging and curfews.