Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Counter-terrorism

Monday 24 February 2025 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Department spoke with French Interior Minister regarding the recent attack in Mulhouse to offer support and assistance.
  • Government is working to prevent radicalisation, particularly among young people, influenced by online hate content.
  • Home Secretary discussed the need to strengthen border security to address extremist and terror threats, including new powers to combat people smuggling and trafficking.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Crime & Law Enforcement Foreign Affairs
Context

Following a terrorist attack in Mulhouse, France, there is increased awareness of the threat from Islamist extremism. The incident has highlighted the need for global collaboration to combat terrorism.

Question

What steps her Department is taking with international partners to counter the threat of terrorism?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)

This weekend’s horrific attack in Mulhouse has again reminded us of the threat from terrorists and Islamist extremism. I have spoken to the French Interior Minister this morning to offer our support and any assistance needed. We will continue to work with our European colleagues and the Five Eyes partnership to tackle these threats, both internationally and here in the UK.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

There is growing concern over the radicalisation of young people through online platforms that promote hate and extremism. The MP references the influence of xenophobia and intolerance in contemporary political discourse.

Question

Sadly, the misappropriation of religious belief to justify acts of terror and intimidation has become familiar across the world. We have seen the minds of too many of our young people corrupted by online pedlars of hate, so what action are this Government taking to tackle radicalisation at a time when xenophobia and intolerance are being promoted for political purposes?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)

My hon. Friend is right that terrorists do not speak for any faith. Interfaith relationships are an important part of developing stronger communities, but we are clear that in the Government and across society we have to do more to prevent radicalisation and particularly the growing numbers of young people from being drawn into terrorism—both Islamist extremism and extreme right-wing threats. That is why tomorrow we will introduce new youth diversion orders through our crime and policing Bill to give the police new powers to divert young people away from terrorism.

Answered
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Q3 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Migrants & Borders Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Concerns have been raised about the release of undocumented illegal migrants into society and their potential involvement in terrorist activities.

Question

Although I welcome what the Home Secretary is saying about the need to divert and prevent home-grown terrorism, does she accept that a pattern of terrorism is emerging in continental Europe of undocumented migrants going into countries and committing terrorist acts? Does she agree that it is very difficult for the authorities to prevent anything of that sort if undocumented illegal migrants are released into society when they arrive on these shores?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)

We are clear that we need to tackle extremist and terror threats wheresoever they are found, which includes making sure that we have strengthened border security. That is why we have put forward new counter-terror style powers around people smuggling and trafficking to strengthen our border security, and it is also why we need to tackle particularly the radicalisation we see online. That is where we also see young people being drawn into extremist and terror threats. Wheresoever that is found, we need strong action in place to keep our country safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the specific difficulty faced by authorities in preventing terrorism from undocumented migrants was not directly addressed

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Q4 Katie Lam Con Weald of Kent
Community Security
Context

The issue of Islamism being the foremost threat to domestic security and its embodiment of intolerance has led to a debate on whether certain acts should be criminalised.

Question

In fighting terrorism, the Security Minister has rightly said that Islamism is the foremost threat we face. Its danger lies not just in physical violence, but in the intolerance it embodies and the intimidation it relies on. Will the Home Secretary give a clear answer to this question? Should it be a criminal offence to desecrate a Koran or any holy text: yes or no?

Answer from The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Yvette Cooper)

We are clear that the primary domestic terrorist threat comes from Islamist terrorism, which comprises three quarters of the MI5 caseload and 64% of those in custody for terrorism-connected offences. That is followed by extreme right-wing terrorism, which comprises around a quarter of the MI5 caseload. We already have a framework of legislation in place to ensure that we can deal with the dangerous threats to our cohesion and our communities that we face.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the specific question on criminalising desecration of religious texts was not directly answered

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