UK's Blair faces big test over terrorism bill
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-15 10:32

British Prime Minister Tony Blair faces a tough test of his authority on Wednesday when parliament votes on a bill to toughen laws to fight terrorism.

Analysts say if rebel lawmakers help block the bill it would undermine Blair's authority within in his Labour party and could hasten calls for him to step aside and let would-be successor Finance Minister Gordon Brown take over.

The Terrorism Bill was drafted after four militant Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 commuters on the London transport system last July and aims to make it easier to prosecute groups or individuals encouraging terrorism.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair greets wellwishers in Soweto township outside Johannesburg February 13, 2006. Blair, who is in South Africa for the Progressive Governance Summit, visited Kliptown in the township where the country's Freedom Charter was drafted in 1958.  [Reuters]

However, it has suffered setbacks already.

In November, Blair endured his first defeat in parliament since coming to power in 1997 when lawmakers threw out plans to detain suspects for up to 90 days without charge. A compromise of 28 days was agreed.

The main bone of contention this time round is a clause to make the glorification of terrorism a criminal offence.

It scrapped through the lower house by 305 votes to 289 last year but all references to glorification were struck from the bill by the upper house, or House of Lords.

Critics say the measures are too loosely worded. Rebel Labour lawmakers fear T-shirts with inflammatory slogans could become illegal and academics are concerned they could be prosecuted for talking about terrorist groups with students.

They also argue that the conviction of British Muslim preacher Abu Hamza al-Masri this month for inciting murder in his sermons shows existing laws suffice.

The government plans to reintroduce references to the glorification of terrorism and Blair has urged lawmakers to back the bill, saying the new law is vital for security.
Blair argues that while free speech is an ancient right, the right to life must come first and the government must do everything thing it can to stop future attacks in Britain.

"What we are trying to achieve is a very clear signal to the courts ... that we do everything we can to counter terrorism," Blair's official spokesman said on Tuesday.

He said the government was also worried that the criteria for prosecuting those deemed to be indirectly encouraging terrorism, or for proscribing militant groups, had been watered down by the upper house.

"There are real substantial concerns that we have that we need to address tomorrow," he said.