Liberal Democrats seek major concessions on Terrorism Bill
MPs won concessions from Home Secretary Charles Clarke during committee stage yesterday evening. Mr Clarke caved in to huge opposition to his plans to hold people without charge for 90 days by promising all-party talks next week on a substantially reduced period of detention. The offer came as ministers saw their majority cut to one in a vote on an amendment requiring the courts to prove 'intent' before finding somebody guilty of encouraging terrorism. This was the government's closest shave since Tony Blair was elected as prime minister.