Brown meets rebel MPs to shore up 42-day deal

Gordon Brown was desperately re-arranging his diary today as he launched a last effort to win the vote on 42-day detention for terror suspects.

Downing Street admitted that the Prime Minister was solely focused on gaining support for the Commons vote on Wednesday, when the counter terrorism Bill returns to Parliament.

He was meeting rebel MPs, particularly those who represent large Muslim populations, with reassurances that the measures will be used proportionately.

But leading Labour rebel David Winnick today told the Evening Standard that MPs who had been swayed to change sides last week were now returning to the anti-42-days rebellion.

Only 35 Labour backbenchers need to vote against their Government for the 42-days proposal to fail. But if the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party votes with ministers, some 50 rebels are needed. Mr Winnick pointed out that even some MPs who had voted for Tony Blair's 90-day detention plan are now opposed to the 42-day limit.

In a clear signal that the issue could dog Mr Brown for another year, Mr Winnick said that the House of Lords would 'stand firm' and claimed the Government would be forced to use the Parliament Act to ram its proposal through.

The Act means that legislation will become law but is delayed for up to 12 months. 'Clearly, the rebellion hasn't been reduced in any significant way,' Mr Winnick said. The Labour rebels were buoyed when police chiefs broke ranks over the need for longer precharge detention of terror suspects.

Avon and Somerset deputy chief constable Rob Beckley said he had doubts about the 'investigative need' of the changes and their impact on 'hearts and minds' in minority communities.

The Prime Minister's spokesman admitted today that victory was not certain. 'All the focus of the Prime Minister and Home Secretary at the moment is on winning this vote in Parliament. We are not in a position where we can say confidently that we are able to do that yet,' he said.

'The focus of the Prime Minister and Home Secretary is on persuading those who remain yet to be persuaded of the merits of the package that is on the table.'

Mr Beckley, who was the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead member on communities and counterterrorism from 2002-07, aired his concerns to a Muslim Safety Forum conference last month.

According to The Guardian, he told delegates: 'It would be wrong to think that there is a uniform professional view within the police service. I, and I know other chief officers, do not see the necessity of 42 days; we can see the desirability, but at this stage I do not see the professional necessity.'

The newspaper said three other police chiefs of similar rank were unhappy about 42-day detention.

But Northern Ireland chief constable Sir Hugh Orde, a leading contender for the next Met commissioner, today insisted the current 28-day limit was not enough.

 Blairites turn up pressure on PM

Gordon Brown's authority suffered fresh blows today as a senior Blairite minister warned against the 'lethargy' of a third Labour term.

Amid continued dire poll ratings, the Prime Minister's opponents appeared determined to press ahead with moves to oust him even if he survives the Commons vote on 42 days this week.

Former ministers warned that many backbenchers now believe that Mr Brown 'has got to go" and claim that "the tide is moving against him'.

A poll of polls put the Tories on 43 per cent and Labour on 27 per cent. The most recent poll, by ICM/Sunday Telegraph put Labour just five points ahead of the Liberal Democrats, with 26 per cent to 21 per cent.

Schools Minister Lord Adonis, architect of Mr Blair's education reforms, said: 'Governments under pressure have two choices: to succumb to lethargy, or to fix on priorities and act resolutely.'

He said it was essential to press on with education reforms, saying that many of the 638 underperforming secondary schools will be replaced with academies. He called for more teachers to be drawn from the country's most successful graduates.

Other measures included schools making provision for its most able students and the introduction of diplomas to cover areas including engineering, construction and health.