How new rules could have stopped Westminster attack
THE Westminster Bridge terrorist could have been kept in prison for longer had the latest detention proposals been in operation at the time of his original sentences.
Before his murderous rampage in 2017 which killed five, including PC Keith Palmer, Khalid Masood had been in jail for a series of non-terror offences.
Masood, 52, drove a 4x4 vehicle at pedestrians at speeds of up to 76mph before fatally stabbing the police officer outside the Houses of Parliament and then being shot dead.
Although it is unlikely that such new laws would have led to Masood still being imprisoned at the time of the attack, they could have led to closer scrutiny of his beliefs during and after his various spells in prison.
The proposed tough measures could also – in theory – have been deployed in the case of gunrunner Nathan Cuffy. The 30-year-old Muslim convert, from west London, who is also known as Ismael, was cleared of preparing terrorist acts and conspiracy to murder – but convicted under firearms laws, and handed an 11-year sentence in 2016.
The security services and the Government were powerless to prevent Cuffy’s release earlier this year.
If these new powers had been in force Cuffy could potentially have been kept inside until 2027.
Another terror attack, which claimed a number of lives, could potentially have been prevented by the measures had they been in force. The alleged assailant in that case cannot be named for legal reasons.