Counter-Terrorism: Conflict Zones Debate

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Department: Home Office

Counter-Terrorism: Conflict Zones

Crispin Blunt Excerpts
Monday 2nd March 2015

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman that we wish to bring to justice the individual who is responsible for the beheading of British hostages. There is an ongoing police investigation into that case and that is why I am not commenting any further on it. However, he is absolutely right that that individual should be brought to justice.

Crispin Blunt Portrait Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend ignore any opportunistic criticism and continue to meet the difficult challenge of balancing the defence of our values and our security? Will she continue to ensure that our intelligence services and her Department learn from our experiences in this area, so that we continue to be among the best in the world at getting that balance right?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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My hon. Friend is right, and of course that is what this Government have done. We have looked at the balance between people’s privacy and liberty and the need for our services to have the appropriate powers and capabilities to keep people safe. I believe that we have struck the right balance, but of course we must continue to consider the issue as matters develop and as the terrorists find new ways of communicating and of carrying out their terrible and horrific attacks. We must be ever vigilant on this matter and that is exactly what the Government have been.