The home secretary has defended his plans to introduce "control orders" for terrorist suspects.

Charles Clarke on Tuesday  published the legislation he hopes to rush through parliament before the next general election.

However, the proposals still face stiff opposition from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - and without their support the government is unlikely to get its plans through the House of Lords.

Most controversial are proposals that would allow Clarke himself to decide on the application of the control orders, which could set restrictions ranging from limiting use of the internet through to house arrest.

Ministers must introduce new measures by March, following a House of Lords' ruling last year that previous legislation allowing detention without trial breached human rights.

Clarke said: "This bill is designed to meet the law lords' criticism that the previous legislation was disproportionate and discriminatory.

"The bill needs to be seen in the context of the scale of the continuing and serious threat to the