Blair unveils new terror powers

2005-08-05 16:48

London - British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday announced a raft of new powers to fight terrorism in Britain following the London attacks.

Some will be implemented immediately, while others will require a period of consultation, or the introduction of new legislation later this year.

Here is a list of the main measures:

The government will launch a one-month consultation on new grounds for excluding and deporting people from Britain, which will include fostering hatred, advocating violence to further a person's beliefs, or justifying or validating such violence.

Britain may amend its human rights laws to re-interpret the European Convention on Human Rights if legal obstacles arise, in particular in relation to deporting terrorism suspects.

New anti-terrorism legislation will be introduced towards the end of the year, including an offence of condoning or glorifying terrorism, which would apply anywhere in the world, not just in Britain.

There will be a review of requirements for people who become British citizens.

Existing powers to strip people of their British nationality if they act against the interests of the country could be extended to apply to naturalised citizens involved in extremism.

The government will also consider extending the maximum time police can hold a suspect connected with terrorism before filing charges or releasing them. Police have asked for an extension of up to three months, from the current 15 days.

A list will be drawn up of extremist websites, bookshops and centres. If a foreign national is involved in them, he or she may be deported.

The hardline Muslim groups Hizb ut Tahrir and al-Muhajiroun will be banned.

The interior minister will have the power, under the Terrorism Act 2000, to proscribe any organisation which he believes is "concerned in terrorism".

There will be a new power to order the closure of a place of worship used for "fomenting terrorism". In addition, Muslim leaders will be asked to draw up a list of people "not fit to preach" to be excluded.

A list will be devised by the Foreign Office and Home Office to exclude people "whose activities and views pose a threat to UK security".

More arrests

British police said on Friday they had made two further arrests earlier in the week in connection with the investigation into the failed bomb attacks on the city on July 21.

On Tuesday, a man was arrested in Finchley, north London, while a day later a woman was held in Stockwell, to the south of the capital, a police statement said. Both were held under anti-terrorism laws.

Overall, police have arrested 39 people following the events of July 21.

Of the 39 held, 14 are still in police custody, including three men named by police as among the suspected attackers. The fourth suspected attacker has been arrested in Rome.

- SAPA