Terrorist Attack: Nice Debate

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Department: Home Office

Terrorist Attack: Nice

Bob Stewart Excerpts
Monday 18th July 2016

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
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I am here to reassure the right hon. Gentleman and his constituents that we are doing all we can to ensure that they and all of our constituents are kept safe, and we will always keep particular incidents under review to make sure that we can give people as much certainty as possible. One thing we are particularly focused on is large crowds and big events, and the Security Service and the police will be monitoring and reviewing particular events, or places of large gatherings, to ensure that we keep people safe.

Bob Stewart Portrait Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)
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Our security forces have to overcome huge inhibitions before deciding to open fire on someone who poses a lethal threat to innocent people. Can the Home Secretary confirm that if such a decision is made, the intention must be to stop the threat in its tracks, which invariably means shooting to kill, not to wound?

Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
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My hon. Friend puts it very well. Clearly, the priority must be to save innocent lives. We must always ensure that our security forces and police firearms officers have not only the right tools and equipment but the right permissions to do what is necessary to keep us all safe.