Extra powers to detain ‘spies’ at our airports

POLICE and immigration officials will be given the power to stop and detain suspected foreign spies at UK ports and airports.

The measures announced by Home Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday are in response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in March.

The crackdown on ‘hostile state activity’ provides powers similar to those already used against individuals believed to pose a terror threat. Police and immigration officers will be given the right to stop those they suspect of being foreign agents.

If their suspicions about the person’s intent are confirmed, they will pass them to Border Force officials to be deported.

Mr Javid said it was ‘highly likely’ the Russian state poisoned the Skripals, although the Kremlin denies this. The attack demonstrated why the police ‘need robust powers to investigate, identify and challenge those acting against our interests’, he said.

Introducing a wide-ranging new Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill, he told the Commons: ‘This is a necessary and proportionate response to the threat and will, of course, be subject to strict safeguards and robust oversight to assure its proper use.’

If the Bill is passed, police, immigration and customs officers will be able to stop, question, search and detain anyone at a port, airport or border areas to determine if they are involved in ‘hostile activity’.

They can already detain people they suspect of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Last year 16,349 people were examined under the provision in Britain.

The Bill will also introduce longer jail sentences – up to 15 years – for terrorist propaganda offences including the viewing online of jihadist videos and far-Right content.