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Prevent Programme
22 January 2020
Lead MP
Diane Abbott
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Diane Abbott raised concerns about prevent programme 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 Home Office must clarify its oversight role over counter-terrorism policing, especially regarding errors in classifying groups like Extinction Rebellion as extremist. The inclusion of non-violent protest organisations and vegan activists under the Prevent programme is unjustified and infringes on democratic rights.
Brandon Lewis
12:31:00
Counter-terrorism policing in the UK is operationally independent, but the Home Office oversees it. The police have made errors regarding Extinction Rebellion and other groups, which were withdrawn from guidance documents. These mistakes are being corrected.
Diane Abbott
Ind
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
The inclusion of Extinction Rebellion in counter-terrorism police guidance was an error but represents a serious breach of democratic rights. The Minister must clarify who leads the Prevent review since Lord Carlile has stepped down.
David Davis
Con
Goole and Pocklington
The Home Office should protect life and way of life rather than adopting a thought police approach. Freedom of speech must be defended, even for those we disagree with.
Joanna Cherry
12:31:00
The Prevent strategy has threatened civil liberties by wrongly associating campaigning for peace and environmental issues with extremism. The Scottish approach to Safer Communities should be considered in England to prevent similar mistakes.
Maldon
Ukraine's national symbol, the tryzub, must be removed from police guidance documents due to the offence it has caused. The UK should reaffirm its support for Ukraine.
Chris Matheson
12:31:00
The Prevent programme’s credibility has been damaged by including Extinction Rebellion in counter-terrorism guidance. Questions remain about who will lead the review following Lord Carlile's departure and how to restore public trust.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Prevent helps keep people safe by preventing radicalisation, especially for those released from prison after committing serious terrorist offences. Support must be provided to prevent re-radicalisation.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
The police might say that this was an error of judgment, but it is also part of a pattern. Footage of my arrest for peaceful protest against fracking was used in Prevent training sessions back in 2015. In 2016, the Home Office said that support for anti-fracking was not an indicator of vulnerability to extremism, but years later, evidence shows that four police forces were still identifying anti-fracking as a perceived extremist risk. Can the Minister tell me why we should now trust his Department on this subject? What is it doing differently? In particular, what reassurance can he give us that he will advise the police to ensure that any policing in the run-up to, and at, COP 26 is within the law and appropriate?
Brandon Lewis
Con
Great Yarmouth
Firstly, as I said earlier, the police in this country have independence, and it is important that we protect and respect that. They have said that this was an error of judgment. They have withdrawn the document and are reviewing it. The guidance documents that Counter Terrorism Policing produces are used across policing and by partners to deal with groups, including at public events in public venues. The hon. Lady refers to COP 26, which is coming up soon and is a tremendous opportunity for this country to outline what we do. I have absolute confidence that our police will do as they always do at these events, which is to do our country very proud.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
I was glad to hear the Minister make a clear distinction between the rights to free speech and to peaceful protest, which are absolutely part of this country’s values, and terrorist activities. The two should be kept firmly apart, and the latter prevented.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Counter-terror police across the country do great and incredibly important work to keep us safe, but that is why this guidance was such a problem: we cannot afford confidence in their work being undermined. When did the Home Office see this guidance, and has the Minister asked to see all similar guidance from all police forces across the country, to ensure that no other counter-terror groups are making the same mistake?
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
When the Prevent review takes place, will the Minister ensure that particular attention is given to the intractable problem of proselytising within jails by people who have been jailed for long periods for terrorism offences? They cannot be kept in isolation throughout their long sentences, and if they are not in isolation, there is a danger of them radicalising others. Special attention needs to be given to that problem during the review.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
If the Government are serious about conducting a proper, independent review of Prevent, can the Minister give an assurance that they will engage with key Muslim organisations, such as the Muslim Council of Britain, and will heed the advice of the Muslim community?
Matthew Offord
Con
Hendon
I wish to echo the previous question. We enjoy policing by consent in this country, and I am rather uncomfortable about the fact that some religious communities feel that the Prevent programme does not subscribe to their view of the world, and in some ways discriminates against them. Will the Minister use the review to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain and others?
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
I welcome what has been said about the error of judgment being acknowledged by the police. However, further to what other hon. Members have said, I stress that if such an error of judgment can take place the effect is unfortunately to undermine confidence in Prevent and to raise questions about the culture within which it is operating. On the review, what steps will be taken to ensure there is not a culture that allows such an error of judgment to take place and to undermine an important operation?
Rachel Maclean
Con
Wythenshawe and Sale East
Does the Minister agree that we must never lose sight of the possibility of reform, even for the worst criminals and terrorists who have committed heinous crimes? Will he update the House on when we will start the programme of recruitment for specialist counter-terrorism probation officers, which I think will be welcomed to keep our society and our constituents safe?
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
May I thank the Minister for putting the record straight on Extinction Rebellion and all that? May I also give a plug for the quality of the work of my local police in delivering the Prevent programme and in supporting Members of Parliament?
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
I hope Ministers have had a look at Policy Exchange’s paper titled, for better or worse, “Extremism Rebellion”. Although we may defend people’s right to hold views about green anarchism, eco-socialism and radical anti-capitalist environmentalism, I want to make sure that there is no tacit approval from either Dispatch Box for what the right hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) called “disruption”—I would say it is a deliberate policy of disruption.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Will the Minister show some common sense and assist the police in understanding the difference between young people being involved in Extinction Rebellion or CND and—within the Prevent programme assessment that will take place this year—looking at the real risks with the insufficient numbers of skilled probation officers looking after extremely troubled and dangerous criminals?
Brandon Lewis
Con
Clarified that the document in question explicitly states many groups are not of counter-terrorism interest and acknowledged it was an error to include references that caused concern, promising to review and discuss with Home Secretary. Highlighted education sector's significant involvement in Prevent referrals at 33% in 2017-18. Stated that police reviewed the document and it is a guide for understanding organisations without suggesting affiliation as sufficient trigger for Prevent referral or implying non-violent protest as extremism indicator, emphasising protection of freedom of speech.
Robert Halfon
Con
Harlow
Asked if an urgent inquiry would be launched into a pro-Iranian regime charity circulating material critical of Israel on digital education platforms and requested collaboration with Charity Commission and Department for Education to prevent such occurrences.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Expressed concern over an organisation peacefully protesting against indiscriminate murder with nuclear weapons being listed in the document, questioning its logic and offensiveness.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Inquired about the number of officers monitoring terrorists released from prison.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Croydon Central
Suggested that Prevent's focus should be on ensuring people in the Muslim community do not misrepresent or corrupt religious teachings, rather than perceiving too much Islam as a problem.
Gary Sambrook
Con
Great Yarmouth
Congratulated Waqar Ahmed and his team on their work with Prevent in Birmingham and requested Home Office support for police powers to keep streets safe, criticising some local councillors' undermining of the process.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
Asked if it could be stated unequivocally that the Ukrainian coat of arms will now be removed from the document in question.
Dehenna Davison
Con
Barking
Highlighted the excellent work by County Durham police in protecting people and expressed concern over threatening tones heard, planning to contact them regarding safety at the Durham miners’ gala. Emphasised the importance of preserving operational independence of the police.
Government Response
Government Response
The right to peaceful protest is fundamental. Counter-terrorism guidance documents are being reviewed and corrected. The Prevent review will continue, with new leadership soon announced. Firstly, as I said earlier, the police in this country have independence, and it is important that we protect and respect that. They have said that this was an error of judgment. They have withdrawn the document and are reviewing it. The guidance documents that Counter Terrorism Policing produces are used across policing and by partners to deal with groups, including at public events in public venues. The hon. Lady refers to COP 26, which is coming up soon and is a tremendous opportunity for this country to outline what we do. I have absolute confidence that our police will do as they always do at these events, which is to do our country very proud.
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