"Brown taunts..." The man couldn't taunt a ferret out of a sack.

Good move Mr Davis. Shows up the majority of MPs and their lack of principle.

As for the headlines saying the Tories are worried by this, they're nonsense. Labour propaganda. The public are on Mr Davis' side.

R MacDonald, Perth,

I din't understand why The Times says he is gambling the Conservatives parties short term future. The man has stood up to be counted and has put some integrity back into the process by standing up for an issue. I'm just disappointed that his party is not backing him to the hilt.

Kevin Thompson, High Wycombe, Reading

I actually think it's quite simple...

He is genuinely opposed to 42 days and decided to resign. No doubt he anticipated glory a la Robin Cook's Iraq departure. But he now finds himself out favour and out of a job.

A clumsy move indeed - thankfully he now won't ever get a cabinet role.

John Kenchington, London,

Well at least he's got the courage to stand for re-election Gordon? Feel like doing the same?

Martin, Nr Reading, UK

I admire David Davis for his stand. The 42 day detention without charge could be the start of a disasterous chipping away at the best legal system in the world which has been copied and emulated because it works so well. Innocent until proven guilty isn't that the basis of our justice system?

Gail, New Haw, England

Unbelievable. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool socialist who has never wavered (growing up in Barnsley during the miner's strike can do that to a chap) and for the first time in my life I am in total agreement with an arch-Tory and his stand against a Labour Government. Never thought I'd see the day...

Pete, London,

Why is this 42-day thing so important to Brown? Maybe he wants to look tough on terrorism. Therefore, Brown has adopted Bush's control freak mentality. What next, a Guantanamo set up on the Isle of Wight? No, he is just desperate, because for New Labour the crowd are well and truly on the pitch...

Edward, Cambridge, UK

Yet more proof that Brown and Labour JUST DON'T GET the people they are meant to represent. IDIOTS, IDIOTS, IDIOTS, IDIOTS!!!

Alistair Kipling, Birmingham,

Since when has acting on principles been a farce? The real farce is Labour's shameful playing to the gallery with this unnecessary and dangerous legislation.

Thomas Golzen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Just calling it a farce does not make it one. David Davis is making a principled stand against the continuous erosion of civil liberties inflicted by this government. I recommend that you read a transcript of his resignation speech. Brown is desperately using to deflect attention from his failures

rypert, london,

Really i dont care if people think this was a stunt, or even if they think he is stupid. I asmire the guy for standing up to this.
Do people in this country really think being held for 42 days without charge is acceptable - they would be outraged if it happened to them, or a loved one!

Tom, Exeter, England

Magna Carta etc is fine but surely he ought to have looked at the wider picture before taking this precipitous action? Those who seek to terrorise don't give a damn about principles and with the Lords likely to vote against it - what's the point? He has done a disservice to the Conservative Party!

Milo, Uckfield, UK

A principled man. I guess he does not fit into UK politics.

Speaking of principles... now that the Irish have rejected the EU, will Britons be permitted to voice an opinion on this incredibly important and matter, or will politicians continue to force England on the path to absorption into the EU?

Lori, Ainsworth, UK

Principles... A difficult concept for Browns Clowns and Tonys Cronies..

Rick, Chesterfield, UK

Trust the Tories to shoot themselves in the foot just as things were going well. Can't we find a leader willing to speak the uncomfortable truths anywhere?

CA, Manchester, UK

What am I missing?

I can think of a hundred things to get more upset about than this.....

Syphoning off money to subsidise Scotland for a start (£11bn from London taxpayers alone) for free Universities, free Nursing Homes/Health++++

Scots MPs voting on pure English issues....

MRSA ...

Alex, London, England

Brown may claim that he has popular support for this but that may be because the majority have not yet joined up the dots. I am glad that someone is taking a stand on this principle.

Rob, Bristol,

We have had McNulty and Blears doing the tour of TV and Radio smirking, so it is no surprise that Brown decides to join in, I wonder if he realises that a Majority of Voters feel he is a Joker as PM, if he really Believes in his stand, then call a General Election Now! and let the Country decide!

John B Sheffield, Manchester, UK

David Davies's resignation means nothing and will achieve nothing. He is either a self-indulgent twerp or dangerousely unstable in either case he should be deselected by his party and a safer pair of hands put up for election.

John Foster, Monmouth,

One Conservative resigns on a point of principal, and Brown shouts that they are split. But more that 10% of his own party vote against him in the 42 day fiasco.

Whether a majority is 45 or 46 is irrelevant. Davis can now expose the use of cameras for sending wardens to ticket parked cars

Jim, Bicknoller,

When I see Gordon Brown and the likes of Hazel Blears et al criticising David Davis - and accusing him of a PR stunt - I find myself hoping Labour get a hammering in the next election.

And this comes from a former Labour party member and someone who feels naturally inclined to vote Labour.

Saul F, Manchester,

brown is right to taunt the tories, davis has made them a laughing stock

mike, swansea, west glamorgan

Under normal circumstances I come down firmly in the Liberal camp, so normally disagree with the Conservatives. However I must applaud Mr Davis for standing up for what he believes, something which is depressingly rare.
I wonder why we never needed 42 day detention when the IRA was the problem?

james, london,

Why is it that politicians, journalists and other members of the cost Westminister village are unable to view this episode through anything other than factional/point-scoring tainted lenses.

Is it any wonder that Westminster is so disconnected from the general public ?

Darren, Southampton, UK

I can't believe that David Davis has scored a spectacular own goal. This was obviously a stunt because if he was a person of high principles why didn't he resign when the Govt introduce locking up people for 28 days without trial. I hope he gets booted out in the election!

Edwin Jacob, Hounslow, UK

You can always rely on the Toris to shoot themselves in the head just as it seemed they had regained some credibility. If Cameron can't lead his party he's not capable of leading Britain and therefore is unfit to be Prime Minister.

STEPHEN WHITMAN, London, UK

Gordon Brown says that the Conservatives are divided on the central issue of national security - how many of his own party voted against him yesterday? Only Ann Widdecombe defied the Tory position. Gordon should sort his own out before criticising others...

Max Wharton, Manchester, England

The people of this country are all behind Mr Davis, and don't understand what the media and Westminister are on about. The man is a hero and, sorry, heros don't generally act in committees and plot and connive for 30 years like the unelected prime minister.

Neel, Oxford, UK

As a life long Tory I am very dissappointed with my Party's line against 42 days. All terrorist AND major criminals should be treated much more harshly.

Davies resigns, what a let down to all the northern Conservatives who voted for him as Leader of the Party. What a mess had he won the top job!

ALAN CHAPMAN, BINGLEY, UK

Yet again Labour resort to their only tactic when anyone dare speak out against them or their policies - avoid the issues and deride opposing viewpoints. Mr Davis has done the right thing both for the Tories and politics generally, by showing that principles still exist. If only more were like him!

Dan, London, UK

What really surprises me that a small minority of Cowards support the government. I am pleased you lot aren't fighting on the front or would. YOU would give up scared of what might happen. What a bunch of softies do you not realize you are being lied too. Not just Cowards but Daft also.

Mark, Gateshead, UK

O.K.
The people of Ireland don't want this.
The People of France don't want this.
The people of Holland don't want this.
The People of the U.K. (if they only had a say) don't want this.
We don't want this – Get rid of our EU Masters.
New Labour: Tough on Freedom - Tough on the Causes of Freedom.

Brian Drury, London Colney, England

Brown said, "the Conservative Party are totally divided". They had one, single rebel out of nearly 200 MPs, compared with more than one in ten Labour MPs who voted rebelling.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle "black".

Does he really think we're such idiots? No wonder we want him gone.

Simon, Brentwood, UK

Funny that Labour are refusing to let anyone run... scared of defeat are they?

Graeme, Edinburgh,

Im amazed by the amount of comments stating public opinion is behind 42 days. I suppose though if your not muslim you dont have much to worry about. This new bill is a disgusting infringement of democracy. I wish there were more politicians like Davis and that more noise was made by the public.

Ian, Leeds, United Kingdom

He's a brave man to stand up against the inexorable drift into stiffling state control.
We need a serious debate about the misuse of law to erode liberties.

patrick, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I suppose these 'enlightened' citizens who believe in imprisonment without charge for 42 days, would also back the legal introduction of Extraordinary rendition too?

Prudence Eely Bond McG uire, London, England UK.

What a breath of fresh air. A politician with integrity. It is time someone of his stature stands up & speaks out in support of the freedoms our forebears fought & died for.

Albert Davenport, Bath, England

Brave guy in my view. A person of principle. He's a real man -- a person with integrity. it will be interesting to see how this plays out, but I think it's great that SOMEBODY is prepared to discuss these personal liberty issues.

Mark, London,

Interesting that the government official who left top secret intelligence on Al Qaeda on a train has not been banged up for 42 days pending an investigation to determine whether this was an accident or malice aforethought. Or woiuld this have exposed the public too soon to the implications?

Andrew, Richmond,

The British people deserve better than to be hoodwinked into the Stazi style state that new labour are taking us.
The british press are notoriously left wing,which is why they are gangin up against Mr.Davis.They should be asking why our democratic freedoms have been so curtailed in the last decade

James Currie, Marbella, Spain

When I heard Brown talking about stunt's, farces and deep divisions, I thought he was talking about his own leadership and the Labour Party.Maybe he should do the same,resign and let the nation decide, but he knows he would lose,and maybe just maybe get a real job.

jim, Surrey, UK

With ID Cards, the 42 day detention and the DNA Database this Government has been slowly removing our freedoms. So, 'good on you' Mr. Davis!

Bill Scaife, Chelmsford, Essex

How can anyone treat the tories seriously if the propsed home secartary resigns like this.

robin

How many Labour Home Secretaries have been forced to resign for MESSING UP (ie, failing to do their jobs right)- and you still take THEM seriously? (Straw, Blunkett, Reid, Clarke?)

Steve, Norwich, Norfolk

The idea of "damn your principles stick to your party" might have been relevant to Disraeli but in our modern age it is great to see Davis stick to his principles. We all know that terrible things can be done in the name of "national security" and at last someone is making a stand.

G Smith, London, England

Wow the Times coverage has been bad on this. Instead of thundering about our rights, its been whimpering about politics.

The public , however, seems to be saying: finally someone with some principles!

John Roberts, Milton Keynes,

Gordon knows he lost the argument. So why should he want to lose it twice. He knows that too much spotlight on the 42 days will reveal it to be a farce. Something that will damage intel gathering from the Muslim community which could prevent further outrages.

John Goode, Welwyn Garden City, UK

Interestingly no-one has mentioned the fact that Mr Davis has, with his posturing and circus ring antics put an unneccissary burden on taxpayers. I do not know how much a bi-election costs but I would not have thought that it will be less than hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Dave Wharton, Hull, UK

I have not met one person in my day to day business who thinks that 42 days is too long. Go on Macka !

Mark, Durham, UK.

Really? I havent met 1 in favor!After how the vote for Yes got through I thought the ltiny faith in poiltians i had,had gone forever. Thanks Davis for restoring it a little!

George , Birmingham,

Majority of people want the 42 days for the police to hold terror suspects, but as normal some politicians are totally out of step with the public views.
How can anyone treat the tories seriously if the propsed home secartary resigns like this.

robin , weston super mare, england

So let's think about this one: an MP resigns and seeks immediate re-election on a single issue at the same seat when he could already be representing his constituents in parliament on that issue. A matter of principle? A waste of public money, I'd say.

Bryan, Chester, UK

I've always thought that Gordon Brown reminded of Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh in 'Mutiny on the Bounty'.
Now I know why!

Prudence Eely Bond McG uire, London, England UK.

If Gordon Brown hadany decency this would remind him that the English language contained the word 'resignation'!

Ian King, Son Parc, Menorca, Spain

Gordon Brown doesn't have a principled bone in his body. He doesn't understand the meaning of it. He forgets over 30 Labour Rebels voted against his decree: he had to threaten, bribe, give concessions and plead to get it passed the Commons and then only with the Duplicitous Unprincipled Parasites.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Browns problem is he doesn't recognize courage when he sees it.

paul mitchell, Wolverhampton, England

Where was DD when detention without charge was doubled form 14 days to 28? Why is it only erosion of our civil liberties at 42 days and why was it not principled to resign back then Mr Davis? There's something not quite right about this.

Kate Treen, Stamford, UK

He won't because he is too unprincipled but Gordon Brown, far from gloating, should see that Labour do put up a candidate who, according to Brown's own figures, would attract 69% vote on this one issue election!

A.Williams, Cradley Heath,

Echo what others say.
NuCommunists will not gain any credibility from the electorate by taunting people who have acted on principles, rather than allow themselves to be bullied or bribed.

W Smith, Manchester,

I would rather have honest individualism than collective lies. If Labour believe that they are right, then let them stand against Davis and prove it.

judy, Liverpool, England

A Conservatives with principles, more like a mad man on an ego trip, this man has done more damage to the Conservative party than any Labour MP could ever do.
David Cameron should distance himself from this man as quickly as possible and he should be ejected from the party forthwith!

william thomson, lincoln, u k

Depressing. A really important, potentially disastrous change in the law is happening. Someone tries (maybe foolishly, maybe cynically, maybe nobly) to stand up to it. And all we get is petty gossip: which middle aged men are up, which are down, what's being said in the changing rooms...

Alan Slater, Glasgow,

Gordon can taunt all he likes...
"They hate us because of our freedoms!"
"No more Tory boom and bust."

No, one huge bubble, and then melt-down. But of course it was all the fault of the warmongering Americans, their predilection to cheap oil and Chinese goods and $200,000 (£100,000) houses.

Andrew Graham, London, UK

Labour knows it could never beat a man of principle, when all it can muster is spin and shabby politics so instead it tries to ridicule him.

The rest of us should applaud David Davis for his stand, the media that criticises him are just as unprincipled as the Muppets who "run" our country.

Phil, Epsom, UK

How strange that one of the most ineffective, objectionable and despised Prime Ministers the UK has had should be "taunting" a politician who acts on his principles.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

I'm not surprised that Gordon Brown scoffs at somebody taking a stand on priciple. Something he would never do. Shame really - I'd love the chance to get an early vote on Gordon's achievements............

Bill , Edinburgh, Scotland

It makes a change to see an MP resign for the right reasons rather than sleeping with their secretary. I'm sure that the likes of Kelvin Mackenzie would still support this had we still been under threat from the IRA... or would they oppose the idea of locking up white Britons for 42 days.

Gary Saunders, Manchester, UK

it doesn't look to me like the conservatives are nearly as split on this as Labour. i agree with previous posters. it is laughable that Gordon Brown is talking about stunts and shams. His whole position on 42 days is purely political and without any principle whatsoever.
Good luck David.

Paul, London,

I admire Davis for sticking to his principles but do wonder if this was the right way to demonstrate them. It's taken pressure off Brown when Labour were clearly on the back foot and if Labour also decide not to field a candidate in the by election Davis could be left looking somewhat foolish

Graham Allaway, St. Albans, Herts., UK

Brown is trying to spin this into some Tory division that is obviously not present. Where is the division - they are all saying the same thing!

Steve, Norwich, Norfolk

Of course Brown is crowing, he's forgotten (if he ever new) what principles are.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Well good on you Kelvin Mackenzie. This is not a party political issue but an incident that shows how far removed some politicians are from the everyday people who vote these numpties in to power. I have not met one person in my day to day business who thinks that 42 days is too long. Go on Macka !

Mark, Durham, UK.

This highlights how our constitution works.
In Switzerland with DIRECT DEMOCRACY the electorate never yield their right to determine any change in legislation to their parliament which HAS TO do as the people say in referenda.
The EU treaty is just as fundamental as detention.
We need referenda.

John, Woodbridge,

When I first heard this I thought Brown was talking about himself (or I think something that sounded like stunt ?).

Peter Collins, Brighton, Uk

Most MPs simply don't understand a politician who puts principle above the endless calculation of expediency. Brown wouldn't save an OAP from a mugging without reckoning the odds first.

The hoots and jeers identify the Yahoos. Davis' constituency has something to be proud of - his integrity.

richard, horley,

Davies became a champion of civil liberties in 2003 when he became a shadow cabinet member. Funny how oppossing the government can inform one's priciples! The Governments of the last thirty years have all bandied id cards & extra police etc around. So Davies in power would be pushing for this

John, London,

Labour would be stupid to stand against him. It is in their best interests if the vote is not divided and anyone who disagrees with his views votes together and he loses. What a self centred person Davis must be doing this when everything was looking so rosey for the Tories.

Fred, Moray, Scotland

I'm not a Tory but it's very telling that Brown can't comprehend how a person's principles might lead to them taking this sort of drastic action. If Mr Mackensie is 'willing to do anything to avoid that' (a bomb going off), then why don't we just have a Police state and have done with it?

Adam, Brighton,

Mr Brown may crow now, but it hasn't magically sorted out the enormous mess he has put the country in.

When this supposed 'farce' blows over his problems will come straight back.

David, St Albans, UK

lets face it, the labour candidate does not have a hope in hell of winning the seat. This stand by Mr Davis is just highlighting what we all think in this country. "That the government through its mis-management of just about everything is ruining what was once a great nation"

marcus, horndon on the hill, uk

Only Gordon Brown could taunt an MP for acting decisivly on principle, something with which he is entirely unfamiliar.

Andrew, London,

Interesting that Brown gloats because one of the Conservatives has principles ... what does that say about Brown ?

Nick, Warwick,