Terror Bill rebellion

A BACKBENCH revolt early today by Labour MPs cast a shadow over Tony Blair's drive to bring in emergency legislation in the wake of the Omagh bombing.

The rebels supported an amendment by Kevin McNamara, the party's former Northern Ireland spokesman, to the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill. But the move was rejected by 391 votes to 17, a Government majority of 374. However, the Bill gained an unopposed second reading.

The MPs, who included Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn, Dennis Skinner, and Robin Corbett, voted for the amendment criticising the move as a contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Defiant MPs, page 8