← Back to House of Commons Debates
Reading Terrorist Attack
22 June 2020
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Witham
Con
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Justice & CourtsBrexit
Other Contributors: 44
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about reading terrorist attack 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:
Government Response
Responded to all concerns raised, emphasising the importance of community unity and support. She assured that resources are sufficient for monitoring subjects of interest and that continuous review will be conducted as necessary based on the ongoing investigation. Patel thanked speakers for their contributions, confirmed work against online extremism, and assured ongoing support for families of victims. She emphasised international collaboration to address the threat of terrorism. Responded to various questions, confirming ongoing work on Prevent review, the investigation's progress, measures regarding those posing security risks and online radicalisation. Stressed the importance of community engagement and not speculating on individuals involved in investigations. The Home Secretary provided updates on the Prevent review process, affirmed commitments to supporting Essex police, addressed concerns about lone actors using low-tech weapons, and outlined plans for further criminality checks at borders. She also highlighted future changes post-Brexit to enhance national security. Acknowledges complexities of immigration, expresses intent to reform the system, and supports longer sentences for high-harm offenders via the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Home Secretary made a statement on the senseless terror attack that took place in Reading on Saturday evening. She detailed the incident, the police response, and the ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing. The Home Secretary emphasised the support for victims' families and praised the courage of emergency services. She also discussed the Government's commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, including increased funding for policing and a new 'protect duty'.
Torfaen
The Labour MP thanked the Home Secretary for her statement and expressed condolences for the victims. He emphasised the need to support the police investigation and acknowledged the work of emergency services. He also questioned the Home Secretary about future legislation, deradicalisation in prisons, community policing, and the functioning of the Intelligence and Security Committee.
John Redwood
Con
Wisbech
Expressed sympathy for James Furlong and asked for intensified efforts from intelligence services, police, border forces to prevent future mass murders.
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
East Lothian
Called for a calm response and emphasised that terrorist acts are not representative of any community or faith. He sought reassurance regarding the protection of minority communities from potential backlash and prevention efforts.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Paid tribute to those affected by the attack, thanked emergency services for their swift response, and highlighted community solidarity in coming together despite this unprecedented incident.
Laura Farris
Con
Newbury
Sent condolences from her constituency and asked for reassurances regarding robust surveillance powers of counter-terrorism services to monitor unpredictable lone wolf threats.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Cooper paid tribute to those who lost their lives in Reading and emphasised the importance of tackling extremism and radicalisation.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Patel thanked Cooper for her question, confirmed ongoing work against online extremism, and stated that she would share details about the counter-extremism strategy with Cooper shortly. She also paid tribute to first responders.
Loder paid tribute to a member of his staff who showed bravery during the attack by helping victims.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Shannon offered condolences and asked about steps the Government would take to ensure justice for the families of victims and improvements within MI5.
Sunderland, a Berkshire MP, sought reassurance from the Home Secretary on the Government’s position regarding foreign national offenders who commit crimes in the UK.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Carmichael expressed sympathy for those affected by the attack, highlighted the ongoing need for anti-terror legislation, and emphasised the importance of involving people without a vested interest in formulating counter-extremism strategies.
Ellwood praised first responders and stressed the increasing number of terrorist attacks. He highlighted that the ideology behind terrorism continues to grow despite territorial defeats, such as with Daesh.
Brown questioned the management of individuals known to the authorities, noting there are 30,000 people under surveillance at any time and asked about lessons learned from recent attacks.
Johnston extended sympathies to victims' families and questioned whether media attention should focus on the victims rather than perpetrators during investigations.
Steven Baker
Con
Devon, South Hams
Asked the Home Secretary about the progress of the Prevent review and requested steps to make Prevent more effective.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Confirmed ongoing work on the Prevent review, emphasised the need for community engagement to avoid stigmatisation and highlighted the importance of understanding techniques that are effective in preventing radicalisation. Also addressed questions regarding the incident's investigation, supervision upon release from prison, and the management of individuals who pose a security risk.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Asked about the circumstances of an individual released early from prison before committing a murderous rampage, inquiring whether he was being supervised under multi-agency arrangements for public protection and at what level.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack and commended the police force and emergency services, asserting that the country must never weaken in its resolve against terrorism.
Asked whether the Home Secretary is considering reviewing the criteria for raising or lowering the terror threat level scale.
Sarah Dines
Con
Derbyshire Dales
Expressed deep condolences to victims' families and called on the Home Secretary to look further at managing individuals who pose a security risk, including reviewing laws related to their sentences and possible removal from the UK.
Asked for a measured response rather than knee-jerk reaction regarding any proposed measures, and emphasised the importance of engaging with devolved Governments before implementing changes.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Highlighted contributions of refugees to society while raising concerns about individuals entering illegally or being granted asylum who later become security risks. Asked what steps will be taken to prevent such occurrences.
Asked for further support that could be offered to individuals known to mental health services where there is an interest from intelligence services in relation to the incident.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
Discussed the role of social media companies and community projects like Prevent in tackling radicalisation regardless of whether someone is a far-right extremist or an Islamic extremist.
Asked about breaking up online grooming campaigns to prevent young individuals from being radicalised, suggesting that this should be detailed by the Home Secretary.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Emphasised that the perpetrators of terror attacks do not represent any community view and are typically loners who are mentally unstable and socially inadequate.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
The Government promised to conduct a review of their Prevent strategy in January but six months later, there is still no chair for the review committee. The applications close today due to an extension caused by covid, and progress must be prioritised.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Home Secretary acknowledged that the deadline for applications has been extended until today and assured that information about appointing a reviewer will be shared in due course. She also stated her commitment to supporting Essex police, particularly Chief Constable BJ Harrington, in ensuring security.
Robert Halfon
Con
Harlow
The Home Secretary was asked whether she had made an assessment of terrorist activities in towns and if so, would she support Essex police to keep Harlow town safe from crime and terrorism.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
The Home Secretary was questioned about the use of low-tech weapons by lone actors in terrorist attacks. She confirmed that there is constant work being done to inform strategies developed with partner organisations.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
The Home Secretary was urged to redouble her efforts to remove individuals who pose a threat to British values, democracy, and citizen safety.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
The process for appointing the Prevent review chair has been impacted by concerns about impartiality. The Home Secretary was asked what lessons have been learned from this situation and when a new reviewer will be in place.
Marco Longhi
Con
Woking
The Home Secretary was questioned on how Brexit could enable better protection of British citizens against potential terrorists whom current legal frameworks might not allow to deport or detain.
David Linden
SNP
Kilkeith
The Home Secretary was asked about the timetable for reconvening the Intelligence and Security Committee, which has not met since last year's election.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Kensington
The Home Secretary confirmed that the £90 million additional funding for counter-terrorism policing was part of a larger package that brings the total to £900 million, and this is crucial in keeping citizens safe.
Ceredigion
The Home Secretary responded to questions about addressing concerns outlined by Ian Acheson's review on how extremism was handled. She noted that the Prevent strategy and counter-extremism work are ongoing.
Heather Wheeler
Con
South Derbyshire
Cracking down on terrorist atrocities must be a key priority for the Home Office, as stated by her right hon. Friend.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
The Home Secretary was asked to update the House on how many separation units are being used across the prison estate in the UK for high-risk detainees, and whether they are being effectively utilised.
Bob Stewart
Ind
Beckenham
A terrorist attempt against him ended with bystanders preventing further harm. He commended police officers who tackle individuals posing threats to security.
Gareth Johnson
Con
Dartford
He highlighted the difficulties faced by security forces in monitoring up to 40,000 individuals who might pose a threat and urged support for these agencies rather than criticism.
Expresses condolences to victims and families, criticises the legal system for being a roadblock in dealing with illegal immigration and deporting risks to the country.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Acknowledges complexities of the immigration system and expresses intent to reform it. Emphasises that high-harm offenders should be in prison for longer, supporting the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill.
Offers condolences and argues for strengthening public confidence in the criminal justice system by ensuring terrorist offenders spend more time in prison to match the severity of their crimes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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.