Anti-terror Bill deadlock broken
The marathon battle over new anti-terror laws in the UK appeared to be over tonight after British Prime Minister Tony Blair produced a compromise.
During 30 hours of Parliamentary debate the measures were repeatedly batted between the Commons and the Lords.
But the Prime Minister broke the deadlock this afternoon with the offer of a real chance to change them within a year.
Mr Blair insisted that did not amount to the “sunset clause” demanded by Tories which would automatically see the powers lapse.
However, Conservative leader Michael Howard said: “The Prime Minister has been forced to announce a sunset clause in all but name – he just couldn’t quite bring himself to admit it.”
Mr Howard dropped his party’s demands for a higher burden of proof paving the way for the anti-terror Bill to be passed by both Houses.
