Gordon Brown insisted today he had done “no deal” with the Democratic Unionists to secure the passage of his 42-day terror detention plans through the Commons last night.

With 36 Labour MPs rebelling, the controversial measure squeaked through by just nine votes after winning the support of the nine DUP MPs, including the Rev Ian Paisley. Their decision to back the proposals brought furious cries of "shame" from the Tory MPs sat alongside them.

But the Prime Minister today rejected claims that there had been any last-minute deal with either the DUP or with any Labour backbenchers.

He told his Downing Street press conference: “There was no deal. There was no deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, no deal with the Ulster unionists generally. And I think for people to imply that is to take away from the strength of the argument about the need to tackle terrorism.”

Mr Brown added: “Nobody knows more about the need to take action in preparation in case you have terrorist abuses than the people of Northern Ireland. And I believe that the people who voted for this voted on principle because they are persuaded by the argument.”

The Prime Minister hit out at Conservative opposition to the legislation, which would extend the maximum period that terror suspects can be held without charge from 28 to 42 days to give police more time to complete often complex anti-terror investigations.

“I believe that they will regret their action in failing to support action that is necessary in our country to deal with both the causes and the problems associated with terrorism," he said.

“I would still appeal to them and to other parties to join the consensus that we need to take action, to be prepared. I do not want to have to come to the House of Commons and tell them that a terrorist incident had occurred but we have not been properly prepared because we failed to take the legislative measures necessary.”

Westminster has been rife with rumours of dodgy backroom deals and Mr Brown was pressed repeatedly by clearly sceptical lobby correspondents at today's press conference. He said that suggested there was a deal was “impugning the reputation of people who are concerned about terrorism”,

He added: “I do not offer deals on terrorism. I want to take action on terrorism, I wanted to persuade people about the need to take national security into account.

“We have received advice from the police and the security services consistently over the last few years that we had to take action on these issues. Yes, it is right for me to try and persuade MPs from all parties to vote for these measures because I think it is right in the national interest, and I will continue to do so.”

The Counter-Terror Bill now moves to the Lords and a high-profile Labour critic of the legislation gave warning today that it faces a "very rough ride" in the upper chamber.

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