The Lords will today reject proposals to extend the terror detention limit to 42 days by "a huge majority", David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, forecast yesterday. He predicted the vote would in effect spell the end of the proposed legislation. "I think it will be dead," Mr Davis told the BBC.

Westminster insiders believe Gordon Brown may decide to conserve his political energies to address the global economic crisis, rather than using the Parliament Act to force 42 days through the Lords. The measure, opposed by both the Tories and the Liberal Democrats, was passed in the Commons by a majority of only nine votes in June.