A leading Bradford academic has questioned the government's logic in attempting to push new anti-terror legislation through Parliament.

The hugely controversial new proposals call for the length of detention for terror suspects without charge increased from the current 26 to 42 days.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, already under major pressure over police pay, faced a humiliating back bench rebellion over the proposed extension, which has been compared to the disastrous internment policy in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.

Bradford University's head of Peace Studies, Professor Paul Rogers, said: "I am rather surprised that the government is pressing ahead on this. There is a lot of opposition to the 42-day proposal, some of it from very experienced legal professionals.

"If we do have what amounts to detention without trial for up to six weeks it could cause even greater resentment which would defeat the purpose similar to what happened with the Prevention of Terrorism Act as used in Northern Ireland.

"Internment was seen to be a panacea for all ills in Northern Ireland but it never worked and a great many innocent people were arrested.

"The opposition to the 42-day proposal is not just from the traditional human rights lobby but senior legal figures who have expressed grave concerns.

"The government wants to reassure the public that it is taking strong action on terrorism but I would be very surprised if they manage to get it passed, especially with opposition coming from other parties."

The Ramadhan Foundation, a leading Muslim group based in the North of England also rejected the proposed measures.

Mr. Mohammed Shafiq, Director of the Foundation said: "This Government has not provided any evidence of the need to increase the detention time and therefore it is clear it is far more interested in headline grabbing initiatives, without any substance.

"The Ramadhan Foundation welcomes the commitment made by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour MP's and many others in opposing this affront to freedom and justice, the eroding of these rights will be a lasting legacy of which future generations will not be proud."