Blair heads for party clashes

BRITISH Prime Minister Tony Blair set himself up yesterday for high-risk clashes with his party, refusing to compromise on future reforms despite a first parliamentary defeat that raised doubts about his ability to govern.

Forty-nine MPs in Mr Blair’s Labour Party rebelled on Wednesday against plans to let police hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge.

Cabinet colleagues rallied round Mr Blair. Home Secretary Charles Clarke accepted personal responsibility for failing to persuade the House of Commons to endorse the proposal.