Gordon Brown to Unveil New Security Plans to Fight Terrorism

Britain on Wednesday considered plans to hold terrorism suspects for up to 56 days without charge, resurrecting proposals that have divided lawmakers across the political divide. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to make the announcement in his first major statement to parliament on security since he took over from Tony Blair last month.

The issue of pre-charge detention has been a highly charged political issue since the July 7, 2005 suicide bomb attacks by four British Islamists on London which killed 52 people.

Blair suffered his first defeat in the House of Commons two years ago when he introduced plans to allow police to hold suspects for up to 90 days without charge following a rebellion by lawmakers in his Labour Party.

Instead, parliament agreed on a compromise deal which means they can be detained for up to 28 days.

Ministers have indicated that Brown would seek to bring in tougher powers with Britain facing a threat from 200 militant cells, many said to have links to al Qaeda, and because of the complexity of investigating plots with international links.

"We have to show we are resolute and strong and steadfast in tackling what they (al Qaeda) are determined to do," Brown said in an interview with the Sun newspaper published on Wednesday.

The paper said police sources believed the government would aim for at least a 56-day pre-charge detention period with the promise that judges would oversee the process, and Brown said he was hoping any new laws would have cross-party support.

However that looks unlikely as many in the Labour party remain sceptical of the plans and the opposition Conservative Party says there is no evidence to support the move.

Civil rights groups also say holding suspects for longer and releasing them without charge risks alienating Britain's 1.7 million Muslims.

"All the evidence so far is that 28 days is enough," said Conservative home affairs spokesman David Davis, who said there were already powers to hold people for longer in an emergency.

"This argument is a distraction from the real and vital work we should be doing to maintain and protect our security."

Other measures to be unveiled by Brown may include boosting security at airports and ports, including possible plans to seize the passports of those suspected of travelling abroad for terrorism purposes.