London:  Indian-origin Labour MP Keith Vaz was at the centre of a row today amidst reports that he was promised a "reward" for backing a controversial anti-terrorism bill moved by the government in the House of Commons.

The bill, seeking to extend the pre-charge detention period of terror suspects from 28 to 42 days, has been strongly opposed by MPs across the political divide.

The government won the vote on the bill by a razor-thin majority of 9 votes last month.

In the House of Commons today, conservative leader David Cameron questioned Browns claim after the vote was won that no deals were done, nor any rewards promised.

Vaz was reportedly offered a knighthood in return for his support on the bill, a claim that was denied by him as well as Brown.

However, today Cameron produced a hand-written letter by Labour chief whip Geoff Hoon to Vaz, thanking the latter for his support on the bill. Hoon went on to write "I trust that it will be appropriately rewarded."

Cameron taunted Brown during the Prime Ministers Question Time with the letter, and asked him "Don't take people for fools, tell us the truth, what did he (Hoon) mean?"

Brown replied that Hoon was only thanking Vaz for "doing exactly the right thing."

Vaz, who is also the chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, had previously opposed the bill, but on the day of voting, supported it.

His support to the bill led to some Labour rebels also supporting the bill, which the government won narrowly.

Source : PTI