Straw recalled from Russia for showdown

Last updated at 08:19 09 November 2005


Foreign Secretary Jack Straw is flying back from Russia early today to cast his vote on the Government's controversial terror law.

The Prime Minister is championing plans to allow

the police to hold terrorist suspects for up to 90 days without charge, but has met considerable resistance.

Key members of the Government have been recalled to the UK to vote.

Mr Straw flew out to Moscow last night for an EU-Russia meeting as the UK representative for the EU presidency.

But a decision was made in the early hours of

this morning for him to return to the UK.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Foreign Secretary will be returning to the UK for the vote.

"He will attend the EU troika meeting and then fly back. He was meant to be in Moscow today for

meetings but he is returning a little early."

Mr Straw is the second Cabinet minister to break off international engagements today to come back and support the Prime Minister.

Chancellor Gordon Brown arrived in the Middle

East this morning but was ordered back to London by Chief Whip Hilary Armstrong.

Mr Brown had just touched down at Ben Gurion airport in Israel when it is understood he received urgent messages to take the next available flight back to London.

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