Detention Row Prompts Leading Tory Resignation

The terror suspect detention debate has prompted the resignation of a leading Tory.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has quit as an MP as a protest to "the erosion of civil liberties" over the 42-day detention row.

The resignation will force a by-election in his Haltemprice and Howden constituency which he will fight on the grounds that he opposes the government proposal to increase the pre-charge detention limit from 28 days to 42.

Mr Davis believes his action is a "noble endeavour" to "stop the erosion of British civil liberties".

Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve will take the reigns as Shadow Home Secretary.

Tory Leader David Cameron said that "it was a personal decision, a decision he has made".

Nick Clegg said that Mr Davis' decision to resign was "a dramatic move".

In his resignation statement, Mr Davis said that "at least his electorate and the nation as a whole" will have had the opportunity to debate "the ever intrusive power of the state into our lives, the loss of freedom and the steady attrition undermining the rule of law".

It is understood Mr Davis's local party stood by his decision.

Earlier, Prime Minister Gordon Brown was facing harsh questioning over his narrow win in the detention row which means the proposal to raise the limit to 42 days will now go to the House of Lords.

Mr Brown said in response to accusations that a "deal" had been brokered between the government and the nine DUP MP's that "there was no deal" and "no deal with the Ulster unionists generally".

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said today: "Overall, there has been broad agreement on the draft legislation, and we have gone to great lengths to consult widely on our proposal to temporarily extend pre-charge detention. The provision now includes further important safeguards.

"We will now continue to press for these important measures as the bill continues its passage through the House of Lords."

See: DUP Backs Government's Detention Vote

(DS)