The Government's terror watchdog has voiced concerns about a key part of proposed anti-terror legislation

Lord Carlile of Berriew QC said he had "real concern" about the detention of nine suspected international terrorists pending deportation to Algeria or Jordan.

The nine, formerly known as the "Belmarsh detainees", who were later released but placed under control orders, had effectively had their detention without charge reinstated, said Lord Carlile.

He also raised concerns about the Terrorism Bill, published in full by Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

Lord Carlile said plans to make it an offence to undergo or provide terrorist training may be "more extensive than required".

However, the top barrister said he did not take issue with the controversial plan to increase the time police can hold suspects before charge from 14 days to three months but this proposal did require a "much stronger form of judicial control", he added.

Lord Carlile, the Government's independent reviewer of counter-terrorism laws, said in a report it was "uncertain" when the Government might secure diplomatic agreements allowing the former Belmarsh detainees to be returned to their homelands.

"In my view it is of real concern that detention without charge should be reinstated in effect for this group of people unless there is an early and realistic prospect of the relevant memoranda of understanding being reached presently."

Proposals to give police new powers to close mosques and other places of worship being used for terrorist activity also raised a number of difficulties, such as how to define a place of worship, he said.

"These are serious questions and require careful examination before we introduce what could be a law we might come to regret," he said of the proposed closure powers.

ITN