The home secretary is set to mount an 11th hour legal bid to prevent the release of one of the 13 men being held under anti-terror legislation at Belmarsh prison.

David Blunkett has been accused of operating a system of "executive detention".

In the Commons, however, all three parties united in condemning Islamic terrorism, with political opponents rallying behind the prime minister's call to "stand firm" in the face of the latest attacks.

Meanwhile transport minister Tony McNulty has signalled that the government will provide funding for additional policing in a bid to prevent a Madrid-style attack in the UK.