Poll of MPs shows Labour wants tougher terror laws than Tories

Two out of three Labour MPs want the maximum time police are allowed to detain suspected terrorists without charge to be increased from 28 to 60 days.

But a new survey by CommunicateResearch for The Independent shows that the overwhelming majority of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs think the current 28-day limit is right or too long.

The poll of 172 backbenchers underlines how the two main parties have changed places on law and order issues. Traditionally, the Tories were regarded as more "tough" but their MPs now favour a more liberal approach than Labour MPs, who appear to back Tony Blair's desire to give the police tougher anti-terrorist powers.

CommunicateResearch found that only 3 per cent of Labour MPs wanted the 28-day limit reduced to its original 14 days, while 28 per cent thought it was right. But 28 per cent wanted it raised to 60 days and 36 per cent would like to see a 90-day limit, Mr Blair's preference, which was defeated in Parliament. Some 13 per cent of Tory backbenchers think the limit should be cut to 14 days, while 68 per cent believe the current 28-day maximum is right. Only 7 per cent of Conservative MPs feel that it should be raised to 60 days.

Ministers are currently reviewing the limit and the Labour opinion revealed by the survey could encourage Gordon Brown, Mr Blair's most likely successor, to try to extend the 28-day period. Although Labour would cite police support for the move, opposition parties would accuse ministers of trying to portray them as "soft" on terrorism.

The findings emerged on the first anniversary of the Terrorism Act, introduced after the July 7 Tube and bus attacks in London. A BBC survey yesterday found 30 people had been charged under the Act, most with preparing acts of terrorism.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, the independent reviewer of anti-terrorism powers, said that it was difficult to give a clear assessment of the Act until some cases now in the pipeline had come to court.

He said there was no evidence-based need for an increase in the 28-day limit at present but he believed that the case for one might arise in future for complex cases involving different languages and computers.

But he said that should not happen until the Act had been in force for longer and, if the limit were extended, there should be greater oversight by judges.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on home affairs, said: "I have heard nothing from the police or the security services that suggests to me that there is a great need for swaths of new legislation."