Charles Clarke

Charles Clarke is considering whether to allow judges to take responsibility for the issuing of control orders for terrorism suspects.

The home secretary could announce the decision when the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill is considered by MPs on Monday.

Such a move could be enough to prompt the Liberal Democrats to back the proposals, easing the legislation's passage through the House of Lords.

Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, Peter Hain said that MPs would have enough time to debate the Bill next week "especially if there is a government amendment".

A rethink on the proposals could also ease the concerns of Labour backbenchers.

Labour's majority was halved on Wednesday night as Labour backbenchers rebelled in the first vote on the anti-terrorism bill.

The government won by 309 votes to 233, a majority of 76, but the rebellion of more than 30 would have been even larger if Clarke had not promised to look again at judicial involvement in the issuing of control orders.

Plans defended

Meanwhile, the prime minister continued to defend the proposals on Thursday.

In an article in the Telegraph, Tony Blair said that protecting Britain against a terrorist attack must take priority over civil liberties.

He said protecting national security was his "main duty" and that the bill is the best way of ensuring safety.

"We have to balance protection for the public from terrorism with safeguarding civil liberties," he wrote

"But there is no greater civil liberty than to live free from terrorist attack. It would be the gravest dereliction of duty to wait until we suffered a terrorist outrage here and only then act."

Consensus bid

Michael Howard said a consensus can still be reached, despite heated argument between himself and the prime minister over the issue.

"We hope that it will be possible to reach a consensus," the Tory chief said.

"We have pointed out that there is absolutely no need to ram this legislation through because the existing powers - which are perfectly lawful - could be renewed.

"I still hope it will be possible to reach consensus but it must be a consensus that will protect British lives and protect the British way of life."

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Goodhart also indicated that his party could be open to compromise on the issue if the government moved to meet its concerns.

"We have very strong views on this. We are prepared to accept the principle of control orders, but not by any means as they now stand in this Bill," he told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme.

"We have two particular points. First of all we say any control order must be made by a judge, not by the home secretary.

"And secondly we need to look at the standard of proof which is required.

"At the moment the government say that most control orders can be made even if on the balance of probabilities the person against whom the order is being made is not involved in terrorism, that it is merely a matter of some vague suspicion."