UK's Blair to unveil terrorism measures in weeks

LONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters) Britain will propose new anti-terrorism measures by the end of the year that may include a plan to extend the time police can hold suspects without charge, Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.

In the last legislative slate of his premiership, unveiled yesterday, Blair promised to toughen anti-terrorism laws if a review found weaknesses that were exposing Britain to attack.

''We will bring back, I think before Christmas, proposals that will be based on an analysis now of what has gone over the past few months and how we make sure we have the most effective laws to deal with the terrorist threat we face,'' Blair said in an interview on his Downing Street office's Website.

''The issue to do with the number of days of detention will be part of that,'' he said.

Blair failed in November last year to persuade parliament to back plans to allow police to hold terrorism suspects for up to 90 days, despite his Labour Party's majority. Lawmakers instead voted for a 28-day limit, up from the previous 14 days.

Civil rights campaigners criticise the government for eroding civil liberties while opponents in parliament have accused Blair of indulging in the politics of fear.

Blair's spokesman said the proposals would be the result of the Home Office review and would be ready by the turn of the year. No new legislation will be presented this year, he said.

The Home Office (Interior Ministry) is reviewing terrorism laws on the basis of recent and current trials and foiled plots.

After police said they had foiled a plot to blow up US-bound airliners in August and following a warning from the head of Britain's domestic spy agency MI5 of high threat levels, officers are asking for more time to question suspects.

Blair said he still backed a 90-day limit but any move to extend the 28-day period would have to be backed by evidence from police and would need support from all political parties.

''I think it's important we try and proceed so far as is possible by consensus,'' he said.

''It is important also that we make sure that anything we propose we give a solid and evidential basis for and try to take account of some of the criticisms that were made,'' Blair said.

Security was the central plank of Blair's legislative agenda that kicked off a new session of parliament. He said the country faced ''a genuine, serious terrorist threat''.

REUTERS SK VV2312