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Encouragement of Terrorism Offences
10 December 2020
Lead MP
Carla Lockhart
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
Migrants & BordersNorthern Ireland
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Carla Lockhart raised concerns about encouragement of terrorism offences in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member for Upper Bann, Carla Lockhart, raised the issue of glorification of terrorism in Northern Ireland through the naming of an MP's constituency office after two deceased Provisional IRA terrorists, McNulty and Magorrian. She detailed the brutal murder of William Heenan by a South Down PIRA gunman in 1985, highlighting the lifelong impact on his family. Lockhart emphasised that this glorification causes pain to victims and their families and urged the Minister to address it immediately.
no constituency listed
Congratulated Carla Lockhart on securing the debate, expressing condolences for the loss of William Heenan. Stressed the ongoing efforts by various security agencies to combat terrorism in Northern Ireland.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the concerns raised about glorification of terrorism and stated that encouraging or glorifying terrorist acts is unacceptable and liable for prosecution under section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2006. She noted the updates to counter-terrorism legislation in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, which closes gaps in previous laws and ensures individuals can be prosecuted appropriately. The Minister committed to addressing the issue raised regarding a constituency office named after terrorists by referring it to Mr Speaker for further action.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.