Orlando Attack: UK Security Measures Debate

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Department: Home Office

Orlando Attack: UK Security Measures

Kevin Foster Excerpts
Monday 13th June 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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The hon. Gentleman is right. The job done by the security services, day in and day out, is a difficult and complex one. By definition, they have to decide who presents the greatest risk of taking action, but the task is made more difficult by the fact that people simply sitting at home, looking at things on the internet, can then be inspired to go out and commit terrible atrocities. It is a job that our security services and law enforcement agencies do very well every day of the week. They keep us safe, and I think Members should thank them and show our gratitude to them for all they do.

Kevin Foster Portrait Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)
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I am sure the Home Secretary will agree that using this incident as means of debating border controls ignores the fact that this was an attack in the United States by a US citizen who was able to give vent to his murderous hatred because of the availability of firearms that results from the lack of US gun control. Does she agree that the key is to tackle the sort of ignorance that drives the prejudice that turns into hatred, and that our Government will continue to do that in this country?

Baroness May of Maidenhead Portrait Mrs May
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My hon. Friend puts it extremely well. He is absolutely right that dealing with that level of ignorance is crucial to ensuring that we do not see these sorts of attitudes and that we are able to deal with them.