Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is facing mounting opposition to his anti-terror laws after the Liberal Democrats announced today that they would not co-operate over two of his new measures.

Mark Oaten, the Home Affairs Spokesman, told the Lib Dem conference that holding suspects without charge for three months, and the new crime of glorifying terrorism, were unjust.

"The case is simply not made," he said, to loud applause from delegates. "If we give up the fundamental principles of justice, we are giving in to the terrorists."

He said that holding people without charge for three months amounted to "a new policy of internment". Making the glorification of terror a crime was a dangerous proposal, he said, "hard to define in theory, unworkable in practice, and putting freedom of speech at risk".

Michael Howard, the Tory leader, revealed yesterday that he had fired a shot across Mr Clarke's bows by writing to the Prime Minister, asking for a list of cases when the existing time limit of 14 days for holding terror suspects without charge had hampered the police investigation.

Until now a political truce has surrounded the proposals, which are due before Parliament next month. The illusion of consensus has now been shattered.

It emerged four days ago that even Mr Clarke himself has doubts about the three-month rule. In a draft letter to his opposition colleagues he wrote: "I think the case for some extension is clear, though I believe there is room for debate about whether we should go as far as three months, and I am still in discussion with police on this point."

This paragraph was deleted from his final letter, which was sent out dated September 15, but the original version was still readable by checking for previous edits in the electronic version of the letter.

Rebellion on the anti-terror proposals may extend further still. In a debate on the London bombings, Lib Dem delegates indicated that there were other proposals they were unhappy with, including banning political groups and allowing extradition to countries where the police use torture.

Mr Oaten also attacked the Government for failing to provide compensation for the victims maimed by the July 7 bombings. The injured have been told that the cash may be 15 months in coming, and has been capped at £750,000 - far less than the compensation paid in medical negligence cases.

"Many face expensive bills as they can no longer work," Mr Oaten told conference. "Many require specialist treatment for the loss of limbs and need money to adapt their homes to cope with their new disability. This literally adds insult to injury." Making quick and fair compensation payments was "the very least we can do", he said.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• UK regional accents thrive against the odds
• ‘Scarecrow’ wind farms put rare birds to flight
• What an anti-climax: G-spot is a myth