Gordon Brown insisted yesterday that there had been “no deal” with the Democratic Unionists to secure their support for extending precharge detention to 42 days.

The measure was passed by only nine votes on Wednesday, the same number of DUP MPs who supported the Government in the key vote. The Prime Minister rejected claims that he had bought their backing, or that of some Labour MPs, with promises of action on issues such as extra cash for Northern Ireland.

He said at his Downing Street press conference yesterday: “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.”

The DUP MP Gregory Campbell, also said that no “extraneous” matters were discussed, but admitted that the party hoped for “constructive” talks in the near future. “We’ve certainly come out of it pivotal in any future close votes. I don’t think anyone can now dispute that,” he said.

The Tories, who claim that a package worth up to £1.2 billion could be offered to Northern Ireland, continued in the Commons their attack on “pork-barrel politics”.

Douglas Hogg, the Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, questioned the “propriety” of what “influences were brought to bear” in relation to the DUP’s support.

He said: “It is quite plain that aside from the pressure exercised on Labour backbenchers an awful lot of English pork is being shovelled into a very large Northern Irish barrel.”

Mr Brown was warned by one of his former colleagues that he faced staunch opposition in the House of Lords. Lord Goldsmith, the former Attorney-General, said: “My fear is that this particular issue . . . has become a symbol of political virility.”

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