Following the defeat of the UK Government's controversial plan to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days, SNP MP Pete Wishart has urged the Home Secretary to admit defeat following a "cataclysmic climb down".

Jacqui Smith announced last night that the measure would be dropped from the Counter-Terrorism Bill after it was defeated by 309 votes to 188 in the House of Lords.

However, she announced plans for a one-page emergency bill on 42-day detention allowing it to be passed quickly through Parliament during a major threat to national security. 

Wishart responded: “The Government can’t admit defeat. In an extraordinary demonstration of petulant defiance, the Home Secretary intends to leave 42 days on the table for another day.

“What we have is an undead measure on 42 days left to stalk the order paper. What we need is the final stake through the heart.

“The Government lost this debate they should now shelve these plans for good.”

The proposal was controversially passed in the House of Commons by a majority of just nine votes in June, with 39 Labour backbenchers rebelling.