Britain began releasing foreign terror suspects held under a discredited terrorism law today as politicians were locked in a rare round-the-clock debate to replace the bill before it expired.
Cars were seen driving out of the maximum security Belmarsh jail carrying some of the detainees.
Others were being held at a mental hospital. The Home Office said all eight were likely to be freed soon under bail.
A judge released one suspect, an Algerian (37) referred to only as "A", on bail late yesterday and said he intended to free the remaining nine soon.
They include the man accused of being the spiritual inspiration for the September 11 attacks on the United States.
The men have been held in a maximum security jail for up to three years without charge or trial under emergency anti-terrorism legislation Britain passed after September 11th, which was ruled unlawful by judges last year and expires on Sunday.
Both of Britain's houses of parliament, the Commons and the Lords, debated through the night, battling over powers prime minister Tony Blair wants to replace the expiring measures.
The unelected Lords opposed the measure. "It's been a stick-in-the-mud response, simply trying to put heels in the sand and prevent the elected House carrying its proposals through," said Home Secretary Charles Clarke.