Intelligence

PM reveals foreign extremist plan

BBC NEWS | UK | PM reveals foreign extremist plan

Tony Blair is expected to reveal detailed plans to extend the home secretary's power to deport or exclude foreigners who encourage terrorism.

The proposals will not require fresh legislation, but there will be a period of consultation - as yet unspecified.

The home secretary already has the power to exclude or deport foreigners deemed a threat to national security.

The plan comes after al-Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahri threatened further attacks on London.

The prime minister has not yet commented on the broadcast on Arab satellite channel al-Jazeera, in which Osama Bin Laden's right hand man blamed Mr Blair for the 7 July bombs, which killed 56.

US President George W Bush said threats of further violence would not alter the US's policy on Iraq.

'Indirect incitement'

Mr Blair's final press conference on Friday before he departs for his summer holiday will provide a chance for an update on the all subjects including the latest terror situation, a Downing Street spokesman said.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke has already said he wants to extend his existing powers to cover those who "seek to provoke others to terrorist acts".

Ayman al-Zawahri in the latest video on al-Jazeera

Clips from the tape
Text of al-Zawahri statement

Mr Clarke said he wanted to be able to exclude an individual from the UK if their presence is deemed "not conducive to the public interest".

He said there would be consultation before the final list of "unacceptable behaviours" was decided upon.

Anyone wanting to enter the UK would then be checked against this list - and if they are on it they may be refused permission to enter the country.

Mr Clarke also said he planned a new offence of "indirect incitement to terrorism", to add to the current offence of direct incitement.

Anyone affected by the new powers would have the right to appeal or have the case judicially reviewed.

Police are still investigating the 7 July bombings on Tube trains at Aldgate, Russell Square and Edgware Road, as well as a bus in Tavistock Square, and are holding 15 people over the failed 21 July attacks.

Two London sisters, Yeshshiembet Girma, 28, and Muluemebet Girma, 21, of Stockwell, will appear at Bow Street magistrates court on Friday charged under section 38 of the Terrorism Act for failing to disclose information between July 21 and July 28.

The only other person charged over the 21 July attacks, Ismael Abdurahman, 23, of Kennington, London, was remanded in custody for a week at Bow Street on Thursday.

He is charged with failing to disclose information about suspected Shepherd's Bush bomber Hussain Osman.

August 5, 2005 at 12:22 AM in UK | Permalink | Top of page | Blog Home