Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Point-by-point: The Prime Minister's anti-terror proposals

Pa
Friday 05 August 2005 08:17 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

1. The Government is launching a consultation on new grounds for excluding and deporting people from the UK.

It is prepared to amend the Human Rights Act in respect of interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights if legal obstacles arise.

A list will be drawn up of extremist websites, bookshops and centres, involvement with which would prompt the Home Secretary to consider the deportation of any foreign national.

2. There will be new anti-terror legislation in the autumn, including an offence of condoning or glorifying terrorism which would apply anywhere, not just in the UK.

3. Anyone participating in terrorism or who has anything to do with it will automatically be refused asylum.

4. Existing powers to strip people of their British or dual nationality if they act against the interests of this country, could, after consultation, be extended to apply to naturalised citizens involved in extremism, as well as being made made simpler and more effective.

5. The Government will also consult on setting a maximum time limit for all future extradition cases involving terrorism.

6. Ministers will examine possible ways of extending the period of time terrorist suspects can be held before they are charged and are examining a new court procedure which would allow a pre-trial process.

7. For those who are British nationals and cannot be deported, the use of control orders will be extended with any breach resulting in imprisonment.

8. Court capacity will be expanded if necessary to deal with " this and other related issues". The Lord Chancellor will increase the number of special judges hearing such cases.

9. The radical Hizb ut Tahrir and Al Muhajiroun groups will be banned. The Government will also look at widening the grounds for banning groups, putting forward proposals in new legislation.

10. Ministers will "review the threshold" for people who become British citizens.

Current requirements to "swear allegiance" to the country, participate in a citizenship ceremony and have an adequate grasp of the language would be looked at "to see if this is adequate".

A commission would be set up with Muslim leaders to ensure there was " better integration" with parts of the community which were " presently inadequately integrated".

11. There will be consultation on a new power to order the closure of a place of worship used for "fomenting extremism".

Muslim leaders would be asked to help draw up a list of clerics, who were not British citizens, who were "not suitable to preach", to be excluded from the country.

12. Proposals to ensure the country's borders are to be brought forward with a series of countries specifically designated for biometric visas over the next year.

An international database is being drawn up by the Foreign Office and Home Office to exclude people "whose activities or views pose a threat to Britain's security". Any appeal will only be allowed to take place outside the country.

Mr Blair added that if legislation could be made ready in time and "the right consensus achieved" the Government was ready to recall Parliament in September "at least to begin the debate over the measures".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in