Rudd: Britain faces tough questions in war on terror

HOME Secretary Amber Rudd said we must “ask difficult questions about what has gone wrong” as she announced a review of terror attacks in the UK yesterday.

She warned MPs that the country was experiencing a “new trend” in threats.

She said that David Anderson QC, the ex-independent reviewer of terrorism law, will investigate whether “lessons can be learned” from the response to the attacks in Westminster, Manchester, London Bridge and Finsbury Park.

The incidents left 36 dead and more than 150 in hospital.

The inquiry is in addition to the announced plan to review counterterror strategy to ensure police and security services have what resources they need.

Ms Rudd told the Commons a “new phase of global terrorism” was beginning, adding: “We now believe we’re experiencing a new trend in the threat we face.”

Hatred

She reminded MPs of previous figures, that 13 plots linked to, or inspired by, Islamist extremists were foiled between June 2013 – the month after Fusilier Lee Rigby was killed in London – and the Westminster Bridge attack in March. Five plots have also been prevented since then.

“We must do more to defeat ideologies of hatred by turning people’s minds away from violence and towards pluralistic British values,” she added. “We must make sure that these ideologies are not able to flourish in the first place.”

Diane Abbott, shadow home secretary, said ministers should prioritise boosting police resources over passing new legislation, adding: “Cuts have consequences.”

Mrs May has also urged fellow EU leaders to get terrorist material in all languages off the internet. Meanwhile Tory MP James Cleverly is calling for a memorial to honour Westminster attack victim PC Keith Palmer as he “fell defending us and our visitors”.