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Question
I thank the Home Secretary for advance sight of her statement and for the briefing she kindly arranged.
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Question
Will the Home Secretary agree that the public inquiry should be allowed to undertake its work and make recommendations free of political nonsense and lies?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend has been an important voice for his community throughout this difficult time, speaking with dignity and passion. He is right that nothing speculative or misleading should undermine justice, and families need answers about what went wrong and how to prevent future tragedies.
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Question
What measures will the Home Secretary take to ensure that institutions do not fail in future, given the nature of violence children are viewing online?
Minister reply
Social media companies need to take responsibility for harmful content. The Online Safety Act 2023 will introduce stronger codes and requirements, but we also need these companies to act responsibly instead of going backwards.
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Question
What reassurance can the Home Secretary give that this inquiry is a cross-Government piece of work and all agencies will be involved?
Minister reply
We need to look at what went wrong in this case, focusing on interactions between different agencies. A statutory child safeguarding practice review and coroner’s inquiry are necessary but insufficient; we require a cross-agency examination.
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Question
Does the Home Secretary agree that nothing in this place should prejudice criminal proceedings or prevent justice from being secured?
Minister reply
People need to see justice. The information is put before the trial and released after the trial, which ensures justice for victims.
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Question
Why was this case not declared a terrorist incident initially when there were clear warning signs?
Minister reply
The decision about applying the Terrorism Act 2000 is for the police and CPS. This needs to be reviewed, as highlighted by the Prime Minister.
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Question
What more can the Government do together with intelligence services to hold social media companies accountable?
Minister reply
We are raising issues around dangerous material and online knife sales. Commander Stephen Clayman is reviewing online knife sales, leading to new measures based on that review.
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Question
Is it time to get rid of the distinction between terrorism based on ideology and non-ideological violence?
Minister reply
We need to look at risks and actions, not just ideology. The review will focus on this issue.
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Question
In her statement and the Prime Minister's speech, they painted a terrifying picture of how terrorism is changing in this country and how the threat we face is evolving. Will the Home Secretary tell us how the intelligence services will be responding to this evolving threat?
Minister reply
The focus of the intelligence and security agencies is on those cases where there is organised ideology and radicalisation, as well as state threats, but we have to deal with the kinds of threats that our society faces much more widely. The Online Safety Act will bring in stronger powers for enforcement against technology companies profiting from dangerous material.
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Question
What areas is the Home Secretary looking at on enforcement? What interaction has she had with the Scottish Government in the devolved Administrations?
Minister reply
We are discussing some of our shared responsibilities later this week, but policing and crime are devolved, while national security issues, where terrorism cases may fall or have an impact, are reserved. On such cases, we would expect to consult the Scottish Government.
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Question
Will the Government engage with Survivors Against Terror on its calls for a survivors’ charter, which would extend rights to survivors and the families of victims?
Minister reply
We have regular discussions with survivors of terror. They raise serious concerns about the way in which survivors of the Manchester Arena attack felt let down, and we will continue to discuss the support needed.
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Question
Assuming that someone so committed to fanaticism would not respond to Prevent, what measures are in place to keep such terrible events from happening?
Minister reply
The Government is determined to bring in a new power, a youth diversion order, to address difficult cases involving teenagers and see what requirements might be put on young people.
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Question
Can the Home Secretary confirm that the inquiry into Southport will look into exactly that danger promoted by such websites?
Minister reply
We will ensure that the issue is clearly in the scope of the inquiry, considering why young people are drawn into an obsession with violence and extremist activity.
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Question
How many of those people referred to Prevent over concerns relating to school massacres last year are currently in detention?
Minister reply
A referral to Prevent can be for young people who may have expressed an interest in school massacre, but the point is early intervention to prevent them from committing crimes. We need stronger powers like the youth diversion order.
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Question
Will the Home Office look into how our legal frameworks might be updated to recognise the full horror of acts intended to terrorise?
Minister reply
We need the legal framework to ensure sufficient scope, powers and sentencing are in place. The accused has been charged under the Terrorism Act 605 and will be treated as a terrorist offender.
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Question
Why was crucial information about the Prevent referral not provided until the trial in the attack on Sir David Amess?
Minister reply
The Government is going further in providing information after the trial than was provided in that case. No one should excuse people who committed crimes by saying it was something to do with the information they were provided.
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Question
What more should social media and search engine giants be doing to prevent our young people from accessing violent content?
Minister reply
Social media companies have sophisticated technology and resources. They know exactly how to target individuals online, but they should use those capabilities responsibly instead of reducing moderation.
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Question
Constituents across Lagan Valley send their thoughts and prayers to the families of Elsie, Alice and Bebe. How will a lack of ideology be captured so that we can identify potential perpetrators? What laws can we pass in this House not only to stop social media companies profiting but also ensure they are aware of violent and terrorist content?
Minister reply
The issue is complex with some young people becoming radicalised around an ideology early on, others obsessed with violence, while still others may switch between different extreme ideas. Online safety measures will be enhanced through the Online Safety Act to address such content.
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Question
(Shadow Secretary's response was part of the minister's statement and not a separate Q&A)
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Question
I welcome the uncompromising inquiry announced by the Home Secretary. How does she feel about making decisions in real time to secure our online information environment?
Minister reply
The Online Safety Act will provide new structures and systems, allowing for further action if necessary, prioritising children's safety.
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Question
Prime Minister’s denial in August that Rudakubana was being investigated did not protect the trial. If a jury knew facts before the trial, why could the Prime Minister not have told the country the truth?
Minister reply
Investigation and prosecution decisions are made independently by police and prosecutors based on evidence gathered.
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Question
The murderer was 17 at the time of attack with a history of violence. Should we not ensure teenagers cannot buy knives in the future?
Minister reply
Through the policing and crime Bill, action will be taken to ensure executives of online companies take responsibility for checks that need to occur.
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Question
Despite multiple referrals, we failed Elsie, Alice, and Bebe. Does the Home Secretary agree with Shawcross recommendations on ideology obsession?
Minister reply
The Prevent learning review identified that focus on ideology may have missed vulnerabilities to radicalisation.
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Question
How come so many agencies were aware of the issue but failed in managing perpetrator’s risk?
Minister reply
The inquiry will look into why responsible agencies ultimately failed to identify the scale of risk and take necessary action.
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Question
Does the Home Secretary agree we need a way to overcome conflict between information release for justice and prejudicing trials?
Minister reply
The Law Commission is reviewing the Contempt of Court Act, ensuring justice is done while providing necessary information.
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Question
Will she consider conducting a review to standardize Government’s approach in talking about these issues?
Minister reply
Focus will be on getting families the answers they need, not excusing those who threw rocks and bricks at police.
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Question
Will the inquiry’s terms of reference permit an answer to how far inaction by agencies was influenced by fear of disturbing race or community relations?
Minister reply
The adequacy of Prevent response will be reviewed, focusing on getting families answers about what went wrong.
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Question
On what dates were the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary made aware that Axel Rudakubana was in possession of ricin and an al-Qaeda training manual, and will the inquiry cover public communications after the murders?
Minister reply
Ministers were updated throughout. The Home Office learned about ricin in August and the document later in October. We also briefed the official Opposition. Ultimately, operational decisions are for the police and CPS.
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Question
In her statement, the Home Secretary said, “Let there be no doubt: responsibility for this outrage lies squarely with the perpetrator.” That is indubitably true, but I would argue that there is blood on the hands of the myriad very difficult to understand Government agencies and quangos that charge around in ever decreasing circles, blaming everybody else when something goes wrong. Will she commit to reviewing every single dropped or downgraded case on which Prevent failed to act appropriately?
Minister reply
We have announced two important things today: an inquiry into what went wrong with this dangerous perpetrator and a new independent commissioner for Prevent reviews. This is crucial as strong enough action was not taken in the past.
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Question
I thank the Home Secretary very much for her statement, her tone and her well-chosen words. I think every one of us in the Chamber is heartbroken for the families and their loss. The trust of local communities was damaged by the information that was released, and I believe a lesson about transparency must be learned. Can the Home Secretary outline how the Government will ensure that trust is rebuilt in the system?
Minister reply
To rebuild trust, we need to get to the truth about what happened: why a dangerous man could commit such an act and ensure strong action going forward.