The head of MI5 has said he will not support the detention of terror suspects beyond 28 days, striking a fresh blow against Gordon Brown's anti-terror plans.

Jonathan Evans told MPs at a private meeting that he was not willing to back the Government's proposal to extend to 42 days the period for which suspected terrorists may be detained without charge.

The Prime Minister is already under pressure on the issue with growing opposition among MPs threatening him with a Commons defeat.

A report by the Home Affairs select committee is expected to cite strong opposition to the plans from senior figures including Sir Ken MacDonald, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Lord Goldsmith, the former attorney general.

The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has been summoned to appear before the committee on Tuesday to explain the proposals for a 42-day detention limit, itself a compromise on plans for 58 days, before it delivers its report.

The committee has been unable to find a single voice in favour of the move apart from Sir Iain Blair, the Metropolitan Police commissioner.
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During separate briefings to MPs, Mr Evans said the Security Service would not make any recommendation as it does not have the power to arrest suspects.

He refused to say whether he backed the proposal and was described as "distinctly unenthusiastic" by one of those present.

A source close to the director-general said: "You have to remember his background in Northern Ireland. He saw the effect of internment, making martyrs out of IRA terrorists and he will have been affected by that. He will not speak out against it. He will remain neutral but that in itself speaks volumes."

Ministers say the extension is necessary because of the complexity and international nature of terror plots. But the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and a growing number of Labour MPs are opposed, setting up the possibility of a defeat for Mr Brown if he insists on putting it to a vote.

Yesterday it emerged that the former health secretary Frank Dobson is leading a group of 49 Labour MPs who oppose the move.

Sir Ken told the committee he would be less likely to prosecute a suspect who had been detained for more than 28 days.

Mr Dobson said that if the move went ahead it could act as a recruiting agent for terror groups.

He told GMTV's Sunday programme: "It would be harmful, but it wouldn't just be harmful to the Labour Party, it would be harmful to the country."