Clarke signals concessions to Labour MPs over anti-terror laws

The Home Secretary faced anger from all parties over proposals to imprison terrorist suspects without charge for up to 90 days and outlaw the "glorification" of terrorism. The Terrorism Bill won a second reading last night, but the scale and strength of the opposition made it clear the Government runs a serious risk of defeat next week when the legislation is scrutinised in detail by MPs.

Mr Clarke dismissed accusations that the Bill was a hurried response to the July 7 London bombings, insisting it was essential to combat "self-destructive cults" bent on destroying Western democratic values.

He said: "Our only answer to this threat must be to contest and then to defeat it - and that is why we need this legislation."

But the veteran Labour MP David Winnick warned him of "deep concern" within the party on the detention proposals. Mr Clarke said: "I'm ready to be flexible, to see if we can reach agreement."

Labour MPs also protested that the wording of the glorification plan was so broad that it could catch people who call for opposition to totalitarian governments.

John Denham, the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said that had the legislation existed 20 years ago he would have have been prosecuted for praising Nicaraguan leaders who overthrew a brutal dictatorship.

He also said anyone caught vandalising a statute in Uzbekistan could be criminalised by the law. He asked: "Is it really our intention to do the dirty work for some of the most oppressive and tyrannical regimes in the world?"

Mr Clarke rejected Mr Denham's claims, but said he was prepared to consider further changes to the glorification proposals in committee next week. The Bill won a second reading after Tories and rebel Labour MPs decided to keep their powder dry until next week.