‘ISIS could flee to Europe’
HALTON MP Derek Twigg has sought assurances from the Home Secretary over efforts to protect the UK from ISIS fighters fleeing their strongholds.
Mr Twigg said the group appears to have been pushed back in parts of the Middle East.
He told the Commons that some of its fighters have been heading to Europe and he asked Theresa May whether extra measures were in place to thwart attempted returns to Europe and for co-operation with other European nations.
The comments came during a debate following the mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando, and Mr Twigg said he wished to place on record ‘his condemnation of the terrible attacks’.
Although the gun- man in the Orlando shootings had declared allegiance to ISIS, US authorities have cast doubt over any links to the group and were examining reports that the killer, who eventually shot himself, had been a customer at the Pulse club before his rampage.
In answer to Mr Twigg, Mrs May said: “Yes, of course we look at people who are returning on a case-bycase basis to see what action is necessary.
“We increased the powers of the police in the Counter-Terrorism And Security Act 2015, not least with the temporary exclusion orders that enable the police to work with other countries, in Europe particularly, and with places in the UK where someone might be returning to from Syria.
“They help to manage the return of any such individuals, and we do co-operate very closely with EU colleagues on these matters.”