Tight controls on terror suspects 'to be ditched'

Control orders imposing virtual house arrest on terrorist suspects are set to be scrapped after months of wrangling within the coalition.

In what would represent a significant victory for Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the Cabinet was said to be ready to approve a plan to end the use of electronic tags and home curfews.

It was reported that terrorist suspects would be allowed to travel freely in Britain and be allowed to use mobile phones and computers.

A review of counter-terrorism legislation was due to report before Christmas, but has been delayed until early 2011 because of ongoing negotiations between ministers. Mr Clegg's Lib Dems fought the general election on a manifesto commitment of abolishing control orders.

Introduced under the former Labour government, they have been strongly criticised by civil liberties campaigners, but police and the security services have repeatedly stressed the need to be able to contain suspects they are not able to charge.

The review, also looking at the controversial 28-day pre-charge detention period for terrorist suspects, was announced in July.