Blair setback in Lords voting

TONY BLAIR’S plans for a new anti-terrorism law suffered a major setback yesterday, as Parliament’s upper chamber insisted that only judges should have the power to impose sweeping controls on terrorist suspects.

In a crucial House of Lords vote, peers voted 249-119 to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Bill so only courts can restrict a suspect’s movements and impose curfews and other controls.

The government may try to overturn the Lords amendment when the legislation returns to the House of Commons later this week.