British lawmakers OK terror bill

LONDON, June 11 (UPI) -- The British House of Commons Wednesday narrowly approved a bill that would extend the amount of time a terror suspect may be detained without being charged.

Under the law, championed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, terror suspects may be held for up to 42 days, up from 28 days, without being charged, BBC reported.

The measure passed 315-306 votes after five hours of debate.

Proponents argued the law is needed to battle threats from terrorism, and that the government would use the provision in exceptional cases. However, critics said the law would trample civil liberties.

Protesting the vote, former Labor MP Tony Benn said, "I never thought I would be in the House of Commons on the day Magna Carta was repealed."

He said he hoped it would be overturned in the House of Lords.

The bill also would let a court draw "adverse inferences" if a suspect remains reticent during questioning, CNN reported.

The legislation would require suspected terrorists to register with authorities and would enhance sentencing for

those convicted of terrorist offenses.