Manchester Terrorism Attack 2025-10-13

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I thank the Home Secretary for advance sight of her statement. At 9:31 am on Yom Kippur, a terrorist attack occurred at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester by an Islamist extremist, leaving two men dead and three injured. I express my gratitude to Greater Manchester police and others who responded quickly, and commend the brave worshippers for their actions. I hope the Independent Office of Police Conduct completes its work swiftly, reflecting the courageous actions taken during a dangerous situation.

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The Home Secretary is urged to take specific measures against universities that do not adequately protect Jewish students from antisemitism. Will she commit to reviewing the powers under the Immigration Act 1971 to remove individuals expressing extremist views or support for terrorism? Additionally, will she consider expanding the proposed cumulative impact test in public order legislation to account for intimidation faced by other communities?

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The Home Secretary's statement is appreciated for its commitment to addressing antisemitism. However, there are concerns within the local Jewish community about a hierarchy of racism and insufficient protection against religious extremists involved in illegal activities. What more can be done to address these issues?

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The MP asks about the legal basis for arresting individuals during protests and expresses concern over security measures for Jewish schools like Manchester University. He also seeks confirmation on additional physical security provided by the Home Office since the attack.

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Responds to Liberal Democrats’ criticism on police arresting pensioners during protests, highlighting that supporting a proscribed organisation is illegal under UK terror laws. She urges the party to stand up for the rule of law in the country.

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Requests increased funding for police and security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and community organisations like the Leeds Jewish Representative Council to enhance community cohesion in Leeds.

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Asks about steps being taken to address extremist ideology present online, in schools, and in mosques.

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Will the Home Secretary outline whether any work is taking place into misogyny as a risk factor for or nexus into other forms of extremism within our anti-terrorism framework, and what plans there are to publish an extremism strategy and hate crime action plan?

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Will the Government say unequivocally that if someone wants to come and live here, they must think of themselves primarily as British? It does not matter what their colour or faith is—they are British. However strongly they feel about Gaza or anything else, they must approach all issues with our traditional sense of good humour and tolerance.

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Could the Home Secretary say a little more about ensuring that the Community Security Trust and other community organisations get full support—not just security, which is obviously important, but trauma services and mental health support?

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Does the Home Secretary see that by cracking down on our legitimate right to protest, she is simply giving succour to the haters, allowing them to dictate our approach to protest?

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Is the Home Secretary confident that we have fully implemented the recommendations on tackling failings identified after the Manchester Arena terror attack, and that there is an equitable distribution of counter-terrorism resources in the UK?

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Would it not be a sensible first step for all vulnerable premises to have doors that can be easily locked, so that people do not have to put themselves at risk physically holding them closed?

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As a Greater Manchester Member of Parliament, I know how much fear and anguish there was in the community before the recent attack. Can the Government update us on the development of our counter-extremism strategy? Have we responded to previous findings?

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May I praise the Home Secretary for her actions regarding Palestine Action and other protests? Does she agree there is a correlation between the rise of antisemitism and these protests?

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The Home Secretary proposes changes to the regulations in the Public Order Act 2023; will she undertake a review of the Online Safety Act 2023? Use of online spaces is key for hate messages, not enough is being done.

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Does the Home Secretary agree that we must urgently address online spaces where hatred is radicalised and amplified? Will she work with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to review Ofcom’s guidance?

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What can be done to support teachers so that they have the skills, knowledge and curriculum to educate all our children on antisemitism?

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After the Heaton Park attack, I am proud that Belmont shul hosted a Shabbat service. However, synagogues did not receive contact from police about what would happen on Shabbat due to planned hate demonstrations. Should organisers of these marches pay for policing costs?

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Does the Home Secretary agree that Bob Vylan's concert should be cancelled due to threats to the Jewish community?

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While the Prime Minister is in Egypt, does the Home Secretary agree with me that the chant “From the river to the sea” is antisemitic rather than the Mayor of London's stance?

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What will the Home Secretary do to protect Hillel houses on campuses up and down the country, and will she write to all Hillel houses to reassure them of their safety on campus?

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What specialist training are our police forces receiving to understand the complexity of investigating, charging and prosecuting those exhibiting antisemitic views early on?

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Can she update us on where the review of the counter-terrorism strategy has got to, so that we can be confident that we will get all these people off our streets and improve our understanding?

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Will the Home Secretary join me in expressing disgust at those celebrating Hamas terrorists who carried out the attack two years previously? Does she agree that we cannot allow under the cloud of free speech people to use language driving sectarianism?

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After the vile attack in Manchester, many of us will have spent time with Jewish friends celebrating Sukkot. The sense of insecurity is pervading the Jewish community now. What must be done to address this fundamental insecurity?

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Does she understand that many members of the security forces involved fear being hung out to dry? Will she reassure me that everything is being done by Greater Manchester police to put an arm around those officers directly involved in this incident?

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Does my right hon. Friend agree that people cannot use freedom of speech to promote hate and violence against those with any other religions or beliefs? Does she agree that we need to keep this under review?

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The MP asked about the legal basis for the Home Secretary's comments on conflating peaceful protest with terrorist actions and whether these steps risk pitting communities against each other.

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The MP expressed condolences for victims of a terrorist attack in Manchester and asked about specific measures to tackle antisemitism, including violence against the Jewish community.

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The MP inquired about the specific measures proposed by the Home Secretary to address cumulative impact of protests and asked if she intends to give herself the power to stop certain marches.

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The MP highlighted the recent exposé on the Met police regarding hate crime and asked if the Home Secretary would look into issues across police forces.

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The MP expressed pride in having a Jewish congregation and school in his constituency and asked for assurances on greater resources for CST, the police, and local authorities to ensure visible protection around synagogues and schools.

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The MP referred to historical acts of solidarity against fascism and asked if the Home Secretary agrees with her that we must protect democratic rights while opposing racism.

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The MP highlighted concerns over inter-faith work falling off a cliff and mentioned instances of Palestinian flags in Birmingham and Preston. He asked if the Home Secretary agreed that these contribute to Jewish community's feeling of insecurity.

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Does the Home Secretary agree that it is vital to continue sending a united message supporting the Jewish community's right to live and worship safely?

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What actions will be taken regarding hate preachers like Sheikh Alafasy?

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Does the Home Secretary agree that calls for violence against Jews on social media platforms should be addressed under the Online Safety Act 2023?

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Does the Home Secretary agree that with free speech comes responsibility?

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Does the Government’s protections extend to people of all faiths?

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Does the Secretary of State agree that we need a stronger approach to tackle the online sale and circulation of lethal knives?

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Can the Home Secretary expand on actions to ensure all NHS patients are treated without fear of antisemitism?

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Will every policy measure focus on building solidarity between communities?

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Can she give an assurance that the Government have a plan to ensure that regulators are playing their full role in addressing the poison of antisemitism?

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Does the Home Secretary agree that the attack was a result of rampant Islamic radicalisation and is enough being done to deal with the issue?

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Does she agree that there is no place for such calls on the streets of Leeds or anywhere in the UK, and will she ensure that it does not happen again?

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How will she provide assurances to the Jewish community that are not just media soundbites but promises of safety that can be trusted?

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What cross-Government work is being done on community cohesion building of our voluntary and community sector, and what support will there be for that?

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What steps are being taken to address any gaps identified in our preventive measures so that such acts of terrorism cannot happen again?

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Will she speak to the devolved Administrations to ensure that we get this right across the UK?

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Will she commit to working with the Secretary of State for Education to ensure that universities across the country have all they need to root out antisemitism for good?

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Does she agree that it is vital that we send a message to the Jewish community and every other community in this country that they will be safe?

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How can we encourage everyone to call out these so-called small acts of antisemitism?