TONY BLAIR last night looked likely to put his leadership on the line by standing firm on controversial anti-terror laws.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke was poised to offer concessions but the Government stood firm on plans to allow police to hold suspects without charge for 90 days.

The plans face opposition from the Tories and Liberal Democrats, as well as many Labour back-benchers.

But senior Labour figures last night said the Government could still get the law through the House of Commons without reducing the maximum period for detention without charge.

There was speculation that Home Secretary Charles Clarke could offer a "sunset clause", which would mean the law would die out and have to be renewed after a certain period.

Speaking after last night's meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party, chairwoman Ann Clwyd said she did not think ministers would give ground.

Asked if she thought there would be a reduction in the maximum period of detention, she said: "I would not expect there to be.

"(MPs) were saying currently the police do not always use the full number of days they are allowed. So why should that be any different with 90 days?"

She added: "There are very few Labour MPs who will go against the Government on Wednesday."

Labour backbencher David Winnick yesterday retabled a 28-day amendment, which was withdrawn last week after Mr Clarke offered all-party talks.

Mr Clarke had been expected to offer a compromise of a maximum detention period of between 28 and 90 days - possibly 42.

Prime Minister Mr Blair has repeatedly insisted any such compromise would be wrong.

He told last night's meeting he would be voting "with the Labour Party" rather than the Liberal Democrats or Tories.

He said the only time the Government would get defeated was when some sections of the Labour Party co-operated with the Tories.

He said he was happy to consider a sunset clause in principle. But he said 90 days was the right option.

Hussain Aboudi, a close friend of pizza shop worker Ibrahim Rachid, from Darlington, who was arrested in 2002 on suspicion of terrorist activity, condemned the proposals as a disaster.

Mr Rachid was released without charge after being held by police for four days under the Terrorism Act, an experience Mr Aboudi claimed ruined his life.

Mr Aboudi said last night: "This is a disaster for everyone, because what happened to my friend could happen to anyone - even me. In other countries they torture people physically, but it seems in this country they torture people mentally."