New laws to stop jihadists and ‘jihadi brides’ leaving UK rushed through House
700 Britons believed to have flown to Syria or Iraq to join Isis forces
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Your support makes all the difference.New anti-terror laws aimed at stopping potential jihadists from travelling abroad were rushed through the House of Commons tonight.
At least 700 Britons are believed to have flown to Syria or Iraq to join Isis forces controlling wide areas of the two countries, although the actual figure could be significantly higher.
The new legislation could also prevent so-called “jihadi brides” from heading to Isis-held areas to be sold into “sexual slavery”.
A key measure will stop people who are subject to a Terror Prevention and Investigation Measure (Tpim) from travelling in and out of the UK.
Airlines will also face civil penalties, including the removal of the right to land in Britain, if they fail to provide passenger, crew and service information. They have been ordered to comply with a “no-fly list” of individuals barred from travel to the UK because of suspected involvement in terrorist activities.
The measures were rubber-stamped by the Commons last night in less than 15 minutes. James Brokenshire, the Security Minister, told MPs: “They will help the Government and law enforcement agencies to keep the country safe from terrorism.”
The Shadow minister, David Hanson, endorsed the Government’s plans, adding: “There is a level of support across the House for these measures.”
The Government argues that the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill will give police and security services extra powers to thwart the travel plans of extremists.
It also gives the Home Secretary the power to relocate people on a Tpim and require them to attend regular meetings with probation staff. The Bill imposes a duty on public bodies, including the police, prisons, local councils, schools and universities to “have due regard to preventing people being drawn into terrorism”.
It also brings in “temporary exclusion orders” to delay the return of a British citizen suspected of involvement in terrorist activity abroad. The Government also announced that the counter-terror budget would be boosted by £130m.
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