Express & Star

Amber Rudd announces probe into terror attacks response

The announcement follows atrocities in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.

Published
Last updated
Amber Rudd

Amber Rudd has announced a review of how the authorities dealt with recent terror attacks in the UK.

The Home Secretary said former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation David Anderson will lead the review, which will see if “lessons can be learned”.

Her announcement follows terror attacks in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.

She said: “Doing more also means asking difficult questions about what has gone wrong. In light of the terror attacks in London and Manchester, Britain’s counter-terror strategy will be reviewed to make sure the police and the security services have what they need to keep us safe.

“In addition to this, there will be a review of the handling of recent terror attacks to look at whether lessons can be learned about our approach. I’m pleased to announce that David Anderson, former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, will be overseeing it.”

London Bridge tributes
A woman with a young child looks at floral tributes at the southern end of London Bridge (Matt Dunham/AP)

Ms Rudd earlier said the four attacks had seen “36 innocent people dead and over 150 hospitalised”, adding: “A tragic loss of innocent life.”

She told the Commons a “new phase of global terrorism” is beginning, noting: “We now believe we’re experiencing a new trend in the threat we face”, with 13 plots linked to or inspired by Islamist extremists being foiled between June 2013 and the Westminster Bridge attack in March this year.

Ms Rudd added that five plots have been prevented since March, with three Islamist plots succeeding – while the Finsbury Park attack has also taken place in which a van driver targeted an area busy with worshippers attending Ramadan night prayers at the nearby mosque. Ms Rudd said the Government wants to set up a Commission for Countering Extremism.

Diane Abbott
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott responds to the statement by Home Secretary Amber Rudd (PA)

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said ministers should focus on boosting police resources over creating more laws, adding: “Cuts have consequences.”

Ms Abbott pressed the Home Secretary to commit to halting cuts to policing budgets and asked whether “austerity still applies to our safety”.

Quoting a letter outlining concerns from the UK’s top counter-terrorism officer over resources, she said: “What (Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner) Mark Rowley is saying is that cuts have consequences and your cuts run the risk of putting us all in danger. Our understanding on this side is you are going to cut again.”

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.