Members of the House of Lords voted 309 to 118 against the controversial anti-terror bill, which would have raised the time police can hold terrorism suspects without charge to 42 days from 28 days.

In an emergency statement to the House after the vote, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said that the Counter Terrorism bill would continue but without the 42-day detention clause.

But she also said that the measure would be in a new piece of legislation to be brought to Parliament "if and when the need arises."

The plan was narrowly passed through the House of Commons in June and the Lords' decision had been expected following criticism from senior members of the upper house.

A number of writers and the Council of Europe also attacked the plan as a violation to civil liberties.