BRITAIN:THERE ARE growing indications that the nine DUP MPs may be willing to back prime minister Gordon Brown in tonight's Commons vote on 42-day pre-charge detention for terrorist suspects in some future emergency.
The party maintained its vow of silence on the subject last night as the MPs continued exploring the potential benefits of siding with the government in a critical vote where defeat could reignite questions about Mr Brown's leadership. Contacts between the sides will resume this morning ahead of a final decision by the DUP parliamentary party, expected to be announced about lunchtime.
The government, meanwhile, has said it has "still more to do" to win tonight's vote, described by home office minister Tony McNulty as "very, very tight". Home secretary Jacqui Smith and chief whip Geoff Hoon briefed yesterday's cabinet on their latest analysis of the threatened Labour rebellion, amid continuing claims that some wavering MPs have returned to the rebel camp.
A revolt by some 33 Labour MPs would be enough to inflict a humiliating defeat on the government, if all the minor parties, including the DUP, follow the lead of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats and vote against the "reserve power" to move from 28 to 42 days detention in some future emergency.
One BBC report quoted an unnamed government whip suggesting that the vote would probably be lost, and that he expected the DUP to vote with the opposition parties.
Asked if Mr Brown was confident of victory after hearing from Ms Smith and Mr Hoon at the cabinet meeting, the prime minister's spokesman said: "The general position was that there was still more to do."
Mr McNulty, meanwhile, insisted a government defeat would not affect Mr Brown's leadership. Regretting the absence of a "non-partisan" approach to the anti-terror measure, Mr McNulty also suggested a defeat would reflect badly on parliament as a whole rather than simply on the government.
Even if the government wins, it faces stern opposition in the House of Lords, likely to be led by former Labour ministers who supported Tony Blair's original proposal for 90-day detention.
Meanwhile, Trevor Phillips has warned that the Equality and Human Rights Commission may seek a judicial review if the 42-day limit becomes law.