Treason laws could be used to jail Islamic fanatics for life
TREASON laws dating back nearly 670 years could be used to jail Islamic extremists for life after 19 major terror attacks were thwarted since 2017.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he is considering updating the Treason Act of 1351 to enforce much longer prison sentences. He also warned the ‘tempo’ of terrorism in the UK is increasing.
The 19 planned attacks are the equivalent to one every six weeks. Mr Javid revealed they included 14 attempted atrocities by Islamists and five by farRight extremists.
The Treason Act of 1351 was the law which led to the execution of Guy Fawkes following the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.
In a major speech at New Scotland Yard, Mr Javid said he was considering modernising the legislation to ‘counter hostile state activity’. This could include extremism, spying and cyber-attacks against
‘Tempo of terrorism is increasing’
Government departments. The maximum penalty would be life imprisonment.
Experts have previously warned that current laws mean sentences for extremism are too short. For example, hate preacher Anjem Choudary was released after serving just five years for inviting support for Islamic State. He is suspected of helping 110 British jihadis join IS in Syria.
If he had been found guilty of treason, he could have been given a life sentence. The Home Secretary also disclosed he was considering setting up a ‘spooks register’ to monitor foreign spies in the UK.
Mr Javid said: ‘Each and every day, our security services fight against terror – from large international terrorist groups, to radicalised individuals. In the past two years, they have foiled 19 major terrorist attacks. For each attack prevented, there are dozens more that never have the chance to begin in the first place.
‘And despite this impressive work, the tempo of terrorist activity is increasing.
‘I have also asked my officials to consider the case for updating treason laws.’
The Treason Act was last used against Nazi propagandist William Joyce, nicknamed Lord Haw-Haw. He was found guilty of high treason and hanged in 1946.