Extremism

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Nadhim Zahawi

Monday 9th June 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

The Prime Minister initiated the investigation by the Cabinet Secretary. He looked into those matters. They were considered fully and properly, and recommendations resulted.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

Rather than obsessing over process, the Home Secretary is right to talk about learning the lessons of the past. In trying to reach out to the groups most at risk of radicalisation, did funding from the previous Government sometimes reach groups that were extremist in their views and organisations that should not be funded in that way? What is she doing to prevent that situation from recurring?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Nadhim Zahawi

Monday 9th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

2. What recent steps she has taken to increase the accountability of police forces to the public.

[The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mrs Theresa May)]

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill will establish directly elected police and crime commissioners in every police area in England and Wales. They will hold police forces to account on behalf of the public and so strengthen the vital link between the public and the police.

[Nadhim Zahawi]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Given recent moves to ensure that actions are available to constituents when MPs commit wrongdoings, is such an option being considered in respect of elected police commissioners?

[Mrs May]

I assure my hon. Friend that any police and crime commissioner who is convicted of an imprisonable offence, regardless of whether they are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, will be disqualified from their post. I think that that answers his question.

Counter-terrorism Review

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Nadhim Zahawi

Wednesday 26th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

No, I have just explained the differences between the curfew and the overnight residence requirement.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

May I congratulate the Home Secretary on the decision to allow Lord Macdonald to oversee and approve the process for the review? The Labour party has complained about the process. Does my right hon. Friend recall the previous Government making provision for such a review to have independent oversight?

[Mrs May]

No, I do not recall the previous Government ever doing something like that—[Hon. Members: “Lord Carlile!”] Opposition Members mention Lord Carlile, but he did not undertake a review of this sort. He was the independent reviewer of counter-terrorism legislation and he continued in that role. May I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the work that he has done for a number of years in that role? He will be replaced in it by David Anderson, QC next month. The previous Government did not produce such a review or enable Parliament to have a discussion or debate such as that we will have on the counter-terrorism legislation. I am pleased to say that my noble Friend Lord Macdonald has said that he found the process of the review to be “sound” and

“The evidence base for the Review’s conclusions”

to be “extensive”.

Policing in the 21st Century

Debate between Baroness May of Maidenhead and Nadhim Zahawi

Monday 26th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mrs May]

The Government’s intention throughout the actions that we have announced today is to strengthen the fight against crime at local, regional and national levels.

[Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con)]

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that for elected commissioners to work in the court of public opinion they will have to have real teeth? I am pleased to hear that they will have the powers to hire and fire. Will she confirm that those powers will not be watered down in the legislation?

[Mrs May]

I can confirm that our intention is as set out in the document today and that the directly elected police and crime commissioners will have the ability to appoint, and if necessary remove, the chief constable.