Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke has effectively ruled out any major concessions in order to secure support for controversial new anti-terror laws.

As the government faces defeat in the House of Lords over measures to give the home secretary power to impose house arrest on terror suspects, the government has sent out a mixed message on the scope for compromise.

While some are hoping for a total climb-down, senior government sources suggest any moves this week will be minor.

Asked if further compromises would be forthcoming John Reid claimed: "No, the first responsibility of government is to protect the citizens of this nation that is what the government will do."

Over the course of the weekend the former Metropolitan police chief Sir John Stevens, now a peer, said the new laws were vital in the on-going war against terrorism.

He said over 100 trained al Qaeda operatives are active in the UK.

"As you read this, there are at least 100 Osama bin Laden-trained terrorists walking Britain's streets," Stevens wrote in the News of the World.

"The number is probably nearer 200... the cunning of al Qaeda means we can't be exact."

Meanwhile the Guardian reports that private security staff are to be used to monitor the controversial control orders under the anti-terror law, in an attempt to save money.