Race to stop 6 terrorists being freed in 4 weeks

A WAVE of dangerous terrorists will be released on to Britain’s streets unless emergency laws are passed within the next three weeks, it emerged yesterday.

Ministers are facing a race against time to push through reforms that will stop attackers being let out automatically halfway through their sentence.

New legislation must be on the books by February 27 to block the release of one serious offender the next day. Another five are due to be set free in March.

The changes are expected to speed through the Commons but will face a rocky ride in the House of Lords where the Government does not have a majority.

Peers were urged not to try to slow down the Bill, with Whitehall officials warning: “We cannot continue to be in a position where the state has no power to block the release of terrorists who continue to pose a threat to the public. If the legislation is passed by February 27, we can prevent the automatic release of any further terrorist suspects who might pose a threat.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed to crack down on the early release of terrorists in the wake of the knife attacks in Streatham, south London, on Sunday.

Rampage

Convicted terrorist Sudesh Amman went on the rampage wearing a fake suicide belt and stabbed two members of the public.

The 20-year-old had been jailed for possessing and distributing terrorist documents in December 2018, but was freed automatically halfway through his sentence less than a fortnight ago.

He was put under 24-hour police surveillance on his release.

The Government wants to make offenders serve two thirds of their sentence before they are considered eligible for release.

They would also need to go before a panel of specialist judges and psychiatrists at the Parole Board for assessment.

Ministers will introduce the legislation in the Commons on Tuesday, with the aim of clearing the House by the time it rises for recess on Thursday.

The Bill will then go to the Lords on February 25 and the Government wants it to clear in time for royal assent on February 27.

Some 224 terrorists are being held in British jails and most are Islamist extremists.

As many as 50 terrorists could be freed from jail this year.