An amendment was tabled yesterday by Labour rebels to the Counter-Terrorism Bill which would block Gordon Brown's attempt to extend pre-charge detention for terror suspects to 42 days.
Among the Labour backbenchers signing the amendment are some who backed Tony Blair's proposal for 90-day detention in 2005, which led to the former Prime Minister's first defeat in the House of Commons.
The fact that some former supporters of 90-d
ay detention cannot be relied upon to vote in favour of the shorter period heightens the possibility of defeat for Mr Brown in the vote expected next month.
Its tabling comes amid press reports that Mr Brown has sanctioned a last-ditch effort to save the Bill by offering compromises to opponents of extended detention.
Chief Whip Geoff Hoon is reported to be seeking to broker a deal to prevent a split which would further undermine the Brown administration in the wake of the 10p tax crisis, tumbling poll ratings and Labour's drubbing in local elections.
Senior Labour backbencher David Winnick, who led opposition to the 90-day plan and has tabled the new amendment, said: "I am glad that the signatories include colleagues like Andrew Dismore and Ann Clwyd who supported 90 days.
"It does appear that some who supported the Government in 2005 have now changed their minds and now take the view that the current 28-day limit is sufficient.
"I believe there is a reasonable chance that the Government will be defeated, but I do accept that the Government will do everything in its power to try to persuade some of my colleagues to agree on the basis of various concessions.
"If the Government does not get its way, hopefully the issue will be closed for some time, unless there is compelling new evidence to show that it is necessary to go beyond 28 days."
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