I wish that we could get away with this here.
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Blair announces plans to deport extremists
James Sturcke, Simon Jeffery and agencies
Friday August 5, 2005
Guardian Unlimited
Tony Blair today announced new measures to deport religious extremists who incite hatred.
The prime minister said the government was launching a short one-month consultation on new grounds for excluding and deporting people from the United Kingdom. They would include fostering hatred, advocating violence to further a person's beliefs or justifying or validating such violence.
"Let no one be in any doubt that the rules of the game are changing," Mr Blair said.
Speaking in Downing Street before setting out on his summer holiday, Mr Blair announced a dozen new measures including:
· New anti-terrorism legislation in the autumn, to include an offence of condoning or glorifying terrorism anywhere, not just in the UK
· Automatic refusal of asylum for anyone who has participated in terrorism or has anything to do with it anywhere
· The addition of the Hizb ut-Tahrir and al-Muhajiroun Islamist organisations to the list of prohibited groups
· A consultation over powers to order the closure of a place of worship which is used as a centre for fomenting extremism
· Consultation with Muslim leaders about drawing up a list of those not suitable to preach who will be excluded from Britain
Mr Blair said the British public had responded with "unity, dignity and tolerance" to the terror attacks on London.
"By and large, Britain knows it is a tolerant and good-natured nation, is rather proud of it and has responded to this terrorism with tolerance and good nature in a way that has won the admiration of people and nations the world over," he said.
"I am acutely aware that alongside those feelings that there is also a determination that this very tolerance and determination should not be abused by a small fanatical minority and anger that it has. Time and again, over the past few weeks, I have been asked to deal firmly with those prepared to engage in such extremism; and most particularly those who incite it or proselytise it.
"Such action in the past has been controversial. Each tightening of the law has met fierce opposition. But, for obvious reasons, the mood now is different. Over the past two weeks, intensive meetings across government have taken place to set a comprehensive framework for action in dealing with the terrorist threat in Britain."
Much of the insistence on strong action to weed out extremism was, Mr Blair said, coming most vigorously from Muslims who were "deeply concerned lest the activities of the fanatical fringe should contaminate the good reputation of the mainstream Muslim community in our country".
He added that the government was prepared to amend the Human Rights Act in respect of interpretation of the European convention on human rights if legal obstacles arise.
"Once the new grounds take effect, there will be a list drawn up of specific extremist websites, bookshops, centres, networks and particular organisations of concern," Mr Blair said. "Active engagement with any of these will be a trigger for the home secretary to consider the deportation of any foreign national."
The government will also consult on legislating specifically for an appeal process which does not stall the deportation procedure. He said the government was seeking assurances from around 10 countries, including Lebanon and Algeria, that deported people would not be mistreated when returned home.
After a short consultation period, parliament could be recalled next month to discuss the new legislation, Mr Blair said.
Existing powers to strip people of their British nationality if they act against the interests of this country could be extended to apply to naturalised citizens involved in extremism, he added.
He said the government would also consult on setting a maximum time limit for all future extradition cases involving terrorism. Mr Blair said that ministers were already examining a new court procedure which would allow a pre-trial process.
Mr Blair was asked if it was wise to run the risk of alienating the Muslim communities by "cracking down" with new legislation and falling into the trap al-Qaida had set for western governments.
"This is the balance that we have got to strike," Mr Blair replied. "And I think people are well able to see between tough measures to drive out extremists and measures aimed at the Muslim community as a whole.
"Of course there will be those who try and exploit it ... but I think the Muslim community is far more sensible than that and they know perfectly well that these people are a menace to their own community, never mind to the rest of us."
Mr Blair dismissed the latest al-Qaida video blaming him for the "destruction" in central London and warning of more attacks.
"These very self same people who were making those remarks yesterday are the people supporting the killing of wholly innocent people in Iraq, wholly innocent people in Afghanistan, innocent people anywhere in the world who want to live by the rules of democracy," he said.
He was also asked whether the new measures were a classic case of shutting the stable doors after the horse had bolted.
Mr Blair said his government had passed the Terrorism Act of 2000, the Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act of 2001, and the Prevention and Terrorism Act 2005, which had been "fiercely opposed in both Houses of Parliament".
"I think to be frank what has changed since the attacks on July 7, is that people now understand that when we warned of the terrorist threat, this is not scaremongering," Mr Blair said.
Asked about his desire to improve integration, Mr Blair said he was "about the least politically correct person there is on this". He said people must be allowed to maintain their religion and culture but there was a balance to be struck.
"I think when they withdraw and become separate in a very deliberate way, that is unhealthy in my view."
Mr Blair declined to comment specifically about reports that authorities expected a third attack.
"We don't know what is out there," he said. "We want to find out. In the meantime we want to remain vigilant."
Today's International Herald Tribune says senior intelligence officials indicated that a third attack is likely. "The most recent information came from an intercepted cellphone text message and the interrogation of a suspected terrorist being held outside Britain," it reported.
Imran Waheed, a spokesman for Hizb ut-Tahrir in Britain, said it would fight any ban through the courts.
· Two more people have been arrested in London in connection with the failed July 21 bombings, it emerged today. A man was arrested in Finchley on Tuesday and a woman was arrested in Stockwell the following day, Scotland Yard said. Police said 39 people had now been arrested in Britain and one in Italy. Fourteen people remain in custody in the UK and one in Rome.
Guardian Unlimited ¿ Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005
**********************************************************
Blair announces plans to deport extremists
James Sturcke, Simon Jeffery and agencies
Friday August 5, 2005
Guardian Unlimited
Tony Blair today announced new measures to deport religious extremists who incite hatred.
The prime minister said the government was launching a short one-month consultation on new grounds for excluding and deporting people from the United Kingdom. They would include fostering hatred, advocating violence to further a person's beliefs or justifying or validating such violence.
"Let no one be in any doubt that the rules of the game are changing," Mr Blair said.
Speaking in Downing Street before setting out on his summer holiday, Mr Blair announced a dozen new measures including:
· New anti-terrorism legislation in the autumn, to include an offence of condoning or glorifying terrorism anywhere, not just in the UK
· Automatic refusal of asylum for anyone who has participated in terrorism or has anything to do with it anywhere
· The addition of the Hizb ut-Tahrir and al-Muhajiroun Islamist organisations to the list of prohibited groups
· A consultation over powers to order the closure of a place of worship which is used as a centre for fomenting extremism
· Consultation with Muslim leaders about drawing up a list of those not suitable to preach who will be excluded from Britain
Mr Blair said the British public had responded with "unity, dignity and tolerance" to the terror attacks on London.
"By and large, Britain knows it is a tolerant and good-natured nation, is rather proud of it and has responded to this terrorism with tolerance and good nature in a way that has won the admiration of people and nations the world over," he said.
"I am acutely aware that alongside those feelings that there is also a determination that this very tolerance and determination should not be abused by a small fanatical minority and anger that it has. Time and again, over the past few weeks, I have been asked to deal firmly with those prepared to engage in such extremism; and most particularly those who incite it or proselytise it.
"Such action in the past has been controversial. Each tightening of the law has met fierce opposition. But, for obvious reasons, the mood now is different. Over the past two weeks, intensive meetings across government have taken place to set a comprehensive framework for action in dealing with the terrorist threat in Britain."
Much of the insistence on strong action to weed out extremism was, Mr Blair said, coming most vigorously from Muslims who were "deeply concerned lest the activities of the fanatical fringe should contaminate the good reputation of the mainstream Muslim community in our country".
He added that the government was prepared to amend the Human Rights Act in respect of interpretation of the European convention on human rights if legal obstacles arise.
"Once the new grounds take effect, there will be a list drawn up of specific extremist websites, bookshops, centres, networks and particular organisations of concern," Mr Blair said. "Active engagement with any of these will be a trigger for the home secretary to consider the deportation of any foreign national."
The government will also consult on legislating specifically for an appeal process which does not stall the deportation procedure. He said the government was seeking assurances from around 10 countries, including Lebanon and Algeria, that deported people would not be mistreated when returned home.
After a short consultation period, parliament could be recalled next month to discuss the new legislation, Mr Blair said.
Existing powers to strip people of their British nationality if they act against the interests of this country could be extended to apply to naturalised citizens involved in extremism, he added.
He said the government would also consult on setting a maximum time limit for all future extradition cases involving terrorism. Mr Blair said that ministers were already examining a new court procedure which would allow a pre-trial process.
Mr Blair was asked if it was wise to run the risk of alienating the Muslim communities by "cracking down" with new legislation and falling into the trap al-Qaida had set for western governments.
"This is the balance that we have got to strike," Mr Blair replied. "And I think people are well able to see between tough measures to drive out extremists and measures aimed at the Muslim community as a whole.
"Of course there will be those who try and exploit it ... but I think the Muslim community is far more sensible than that and they know perfectly well that these people are a menace to their own community, never mind to the rest of us."
Mr Blair dismissed the latest al-Qaida video blaming him for the "destruction" in central London and warning of more attacks.
"These very self same people who were making those remarks yesterday are the people supporting the killing of wholly innocent people in Iraq, wholly innocent people in Afghanistan, innocent people anywhere in the world who want to live by the rules of democracy," he said.
He was also asked whether the new measures were a classic case of shutting the stable doors after the horse had bolted.
Mr Blair said his government had passed the Terrorism Act of 2000, the Anti Terrorism Crime and Security Act of 2001, and the Prevention and Terrorism Act 2005, which had been "fiercely opposed in both Houses of Parliament".
"I think to be frank what has changed since the attacks on July 7, is that people now understand that when we warned of the terrorist threat, this is not scaremongering," Mr Blair said.
Asked about his desire to improve integration, Mr Blair said he was "about the least politically correct person there is on this". He said people must be allowed to maintain their religion and culture but there was a balance to be struck.
"I think when they withdraw and become separate in a very deliberate way, that is unhealthy in my view."
Mr Blair declined to comment specifically about reports that authorities expected a third attack.
"We don't know what is out there," he said. "We want to find out. In the meantime we want to remain vigilant."
Today's International Herald Tribune says senior intelligence officials indicated that a third attack is likely. "The most recent information came from an intercepted cellphone text message and the interrogation of a suspected terrorist being held outside Britain," it reported.
Imran Waheed, a spokesman for Hizb ut-Tahrir in Britain, said it would fight any ban through the courts.
· Two more people have been arrested in London in connection with the failed July 21 bombings, it emerged today. A man was arrested in Finchley on Tuesday and a woman was arrested in Stockwell the following day, Scotland Yard said. Police said 39 people had now been arrested in Britain and one in Italy. Fourteen people remain in custody in the UK and one in Rome.
Guardian Unlimited ¿ Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005
