House of Commons · Urgent Question
20 November 2025 · 12 other contributors
Opened by Robert Jenrick Con Newark
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Robert Jenrick raised concerns about separation centres terrorist offenders 2025-11-20 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that the Government will always put national security first and maintain the effectiveness of separation centres despite recent legal challenges? The urgent concern is the ruling in the Abu case, which may undermine the ability to segregate terrorist offenders for national security reasons.
Question
Sahayb Abu is a danger to this country, yet the High Court ruled that keeping him separate from other prisoners was a breach of his human rights. This undermines national security and prioritises the terrorist's mental health over public safety. I urge the Minister to publish Jonathan Hall KC’s review and bring forward emergency legislation to override such judgments.
Minister reply
The Government are considering all options regarding recent judicial reviews, including the right to appeal. We will always ensure that taxpayer money is used responsibly and effectively. The Government commissioned an independent review following the attack at HMP Frankland, and we are committed to publishing it in due course.
Question
Will the Minister concentrate on ensuring that the most dangerous prisoners are held securely and the safety of prison officers? Can she also outline what assessment has been made of Jonathan Hall KC’s review, which has been with the Lord Chancellor for some months?
Minister reply
The Government are committed to ensuring that separation centres continue to prevent those who pose the highest terrorist risk from influencing the wider prison population. We commissioned Jonathan Hall’s independent review following the attack at HMP Frankland and we are considering his findings very closely.
Question
What assessment has been made of the decade of Tory underfunding which left prisons unable to safely manage violent extremists? Will she also outline how Abu’s ideology and violent behaviour escalated the need for extreme segregation measures? Finally, what assurances will she give us that public safety and the protection of prison staff will be prioritised?
Minister reply
The chronic underfunding of our Prison Service by the previous Government is a dereliction of duty. We are committed to investing in prison staff, providing effective body armour and better training, and working closely with governors to ensure that prisons are safe.
Question
What does the Law Society of England and Wales think about the Conservatives’ plans to leave the ECHR?
Minister reply
The Law Society of England and Wales has stated that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights is not the solution. The convention serves many victims, families, and troops in various contexts, and it is astonishing that the Conservative party seeks to withdraw from it.
Question
Is it possible under the refugee convention to detain all illegal migrants for full background checks to ensure they are safe?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a specific answer regarding the legal state of detaining illegal migrants for full background checks but highlighted the importance of ensuring public safety and national security.
Question
Given that body armour is crucial for prison staff safety, can the Minister provide more details on its procurement?
Minister reply
We are collaborating with unions, governors, and medical staff to ensure robust security measures. I will write to my hon. Friend with further procurement details but assure him we are doing all possible to keep our prison officers safe.
Question
Is the Government willing to make payouts to terrorists rather than disapply the ECHR?
Minister reply
We will consider all options, including appeals, to ensure responsible use of taxpayers' money while prioritising national security and keeping dangerous criminals incarcerated.
Question
Does the Minister think it appropriate for convicted terrorists like Hashem Abedi to have access to kitchens?
Minister reply
We await Jonathan Hall’s review recommendations and will ensure all steps are followed to keep prison staff safe. Prisoners’ placements in separation centres consider mental health needs, but final decisions depend on review outcomes.
Question
Should national security take precedence over human rights considerations for terrorists?
Minister reply
We cannot pre-empt judicial decisions but will ensure separation centres are used effectively to isolate dangerous radicalisers, adhering strictly to selection criteria.
Question
What assessment has the Minister made of the implications for terrorist offenders being separated from other prisoners?
Minister reply
Separation centres were not intended for all terrorists; they are used only when necessary to isolate radicalisers. We await Jonathan Hall’s review findings and will ensure that prisons remain safe.
Question
Would it be helpful for the Minister to contact Northern Ireland’s prisons minister to share ideas on preventing prison radicalisation?
Minister reply
I am grateful for this offer and will ensure collaboration with counterparts in Northern Ireland to share knowledge and expertise, focusing on evidence-based measures to prevent radicalisation.
Government Response
I can confirm that separation centres are a vital part of our strategy and will continue to be used. Following the attack at HMP Frankland, we mandated protective body armour in high-risk units and announced an additional £15 million investment. We take all judgments seriously but consider them fact-specific and do not threaten the integrity of the separation centre regime. The Government are considering all options regarding recent judicial reviews, including the right to appeal. We will always ensure public safety and national security.