Fashion protest over terror plans

British designer Vivienne Westwood used her Paris fashion show as a platform to protest against Britain’s moves to increase the number of days terrorist suspects can be held without charge.

She sent models down the catwalk wrapped in T-shirts and silk blankets printed with “56” – the maximum number of days the government reportedly wants to hold terror suspects, doubling the current limit.

After the display, she launched a stinging attack on Gordon Brown, amid growing speculation that he will call an early election.

“I’ll be voting against him, definitely. Anything to get him out,” said Westwood, who is best known as one of the founders of the punk movement in the 1970s.

The Home Office said that, while a 56-day limit on detentions has been widely reported, no formal proposal was ever made and that officials are still trying to determine how much longer they would like to hold terror suspects.

Currently, suspects need to be charged or released within 28 days.

Westwood accused Mr Brown of behaving like a “tyrant” and said the measures would not protect British citizens against terrorism.

“We need people (in court) in front of the law – this will protect me,” she said.