North Thanet MP Roger Gale has defended shadow home secretary David Davis over his resignation following the 42-day terror suspect detention vote.

He said Mr Davis's decision to stand down from parliament and fight a by-election in his own seat as "a brave decision taken by a very brave man in the national interest".

Mr Gale, who served as a vice-chairman of the Conservative Party under Mr Davis said:

"It is typical of the man that I have come to know to put the interests of his country before the interests of his Party and above any personal interests or ambitions."

Mr Davis told reporters his move was a "noble endeavour" to stop the erosion of British civil liberties.

The 59-year-old's resignation came as a complete surprise in Westminster.

"I will argue in this by-election against the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this government," he said.