Brown bounces straight back from Israel for big vote

The expected closeness of tonight's vote on the Terrorism Bill was revealed today as both the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary were ordered to cut short foreign trips.

Gordon Brown had just touched down at Ben Gurion airport early today for a high-profile tour of Israel when he received urgent messages to take the next available flight back.

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Mr Brown said it was right that all Labour votes possible were available today.

Speaking on the BBC, he said he was coming back to the UK "to vote in parliament on what is a vital issue of absolute and crucial importance to the country, and that's the security of the country.

"I want not only to cast my vote, but I want everybody who can cast their vote to cast their vote on the Government's position."

Meanwhile the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is flying back from Russia for the vote, the Foreign Office said.

Tony Blair is heading into a Parliamentary showdown over the Government's plans to allow the police to hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

The Prime Minister has backed the police proposal, insisting that they must have a power that they say is necessary in their efforts to prevent further outrages.

But when the Terrorism Bill reaches report stage in the Commons, Labour rebels concerned about the civil liberties implications will join the opposition parties in seeking to scupper the plan.

The Home Secretary Charles Clarke's latest proposal comes with the sweetener of a 'sunset' clause which would see the legislation expiring in 12 months unless renewed by Parliament.

In addition, MPs might vote on a fall-back 60-day limit proposed by Labour loyalist Janet Anderson (Rossendale and Darwen), and possibly on a 28-day limit - twice the time allowed currently - suggested by Labour's Walsall North MP David Winnick.