Britain's Brown wins key terrorism vote

Britain's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, speaks during a joint news conference held with Japan's Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda, in 10 Downing Street, in central London on June 2, 2008.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Gordon Brown won a crucial vote in parliament on Wednesday to extend the time terrorism suspects can be held without charge, bringing relief to a prime minister whose leadership is under fire.

Parliament voted 315 to 306 in favor of extending the pre-charge detention time limit to 42 days from 28 days, showing opposition within Brown's party had slashed the government's majority to nine votes.

Defeat would have been damaging for Brown at a time when his poll ratings are at record lows and some Labour lawmakers are openly questioning his suitability to lead the party into a general election due by May 2010.