Writers pen protests at terror bill

In an unprecedented outpouring of anger, 42 of the UK's most celebrated writers will each publish a short story, essay or poem tomorrow attacking the government's determination to proceed with legislation to hold terrorist suspects without charge for 42 days. The list of writers taking part reads like a literary 'Who's Who' of modern Britain. They include Philip Pullman, Julian Barnes, Monica Ali, Ian Rankin, Alain de Botton, Ali Smith and AL Kennedy.

The writers' decision to speak out comes on the eve of a House of Lords vote on the legislation tomorrow night. The government managed to push the legislation through the Commons in June by only nine votes - secured with support from the Democratic Unionist Party. But it is widely believed that the government would lose a subsequent vote on the bill if it were rejected by the Lords and returned to the Commons for further amendments, as a number of Labour backbenchers have recently withdrawn their support.