All 1 Theo Clarke contributions to the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020

Read Bill Ministerial Extracts

Wed 12th Feb 2020
Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill
Commons Chamber

2nd reading & 2nd reading: House of Commons & 2nd reading & 2nd reading: House of Commons & 2nd reading

Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Ministry of Justice

Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill

Theo Clarke Excerpts
2nd reading & 2nd reading: House of Commons
Wednesday 12th February 2020

(4 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts Amendment Paper: Committee of the whole House Amendments as at 12 February 2020 (revised) - (12 Feb 2020)
Robert Buckland Portrait Robert Buckland
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Indeed, I pay tribute to everybody who was not only involved with but witnessed those awful events at Fishmongers’ Hall.

The hon. Lady and I served together on the Justice Committee for some time, and I know that she has a long-term interest in these issues. She is right to ask about resources. Some weeks ago, when it was announced that we would be introducing a counter-terrorism Bill, extra resources of £90 million for counter-terrorism activity were announced, additional to the overall package of £900 million of support for counter-terrorism. With regard to what we are doing with probation and the interventions that she referred to, again we announced extra resources, with a doubling in the number of specialist probation officers and the introduction of more expert psychiatric and imam involvement. She can rest assured that whatever resources are needed in order to deal with this issue, we will devote them to this particular line of important, intensive work.

Theo Clarke Portrait Theo Clarke (Stafford) (Con)
- Hansard - -

The Staffordshire-born convicted terrorist Usman Khan was let out of prison early on licence. Last November, less than a year after his release, he killed two young people near London Bridge. Does the Secretary of State agree that this illustrates why this Bill is so important to protect the public in my constituency and across the UK, and to ensure that the most dangerous criminals serve the prison time that they deserve?

Robert Buckland Portrait Robert Buckland
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend rightly points out the sad local connection to that appalling case last year. I know that she shares my—and indeed, I think, the whole House’s—commitment to maximum effort when it comes to protecting the public. It is clear that we must put a stop to the current arrangements whereby a dangerous terrorist can be released from prison by automatic process of law before the end of their sentence, so we must do so as quickly as possible.