Counter-terrorism

(asked on 22nd January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis the National Counter Terrorism Policing Network included Critical Mass on their list of Left Wing and Associated Single Issues organisations in June 2019.


Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 4th February 2020

Counter-Terrorism Policing produce a range of guidance documents designed to assist frontline officers and counter terrorism colleagues in making informed decisions.

The document in question clearly says that it was produced to help police and close partners identify and understand signs and symbols they may come across in their day-to-day work.

As both Government and the police have said, protest groups are not extremist groups and membership of a protest organisation is not an indicator that an individual is vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.

Clearly, the inclusion of protest groups in documents like these without context can be concerning, which is why the police’s swift response in clarifying their position is welcome.

Reticulating Splines