Tackling Terrorism - Behaviours Unacceptable in The UK
The Government's ongoing work to tackle terrorism and extremism took another step forward today as the Home Secretary,
Charles Clarke, published a list of certain types of behaviours that will form the basis for excluding and deporting
individuals from the UK.
The list, finalised following a two-week consultation, makes clear that the Home Secretary will use his powers to deport
and exclude from the UK those who engage in these types of behaviour. It makes clear that those who would attempt to
foment terrorism or provoke others to commit terrorist acts are not welcome in the UK.
The list of unacceptable behaviours is indicative rather than exhaustive. It covers any non-UK citizen whether in the UK
or abroad who uses any means or medium, including:
* writing, producing, publishing or distributing material;
* public speaking including preaching;
* running a website; or
* using a position of responsibility such as teacher, community or youth leader
to express views which:
* foment, justify or glorify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs;
* seek to provoke others to terrorist acts;
* foment other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts; or
* foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK.
Mr Clarke said:
"The terrorist threat facing the UK remains real and significant and it is right that the Government and law enforcement
agencies do everything possible to counter it. That includes tackling those who seek to foster hatred or promote
terrorism, sending a strong message that they are not welcome in the UK.
"Individuals who seek to create fear, distrust and division in order to stir up terrorist activity will not be tolerated
by the Government or by our communities. By publishing the list today I make it absolutely clear that these are
unacceptable behaviours, and will be the grounds for deporting and excluding such individuals from the UK.
"The Home Office has received many contributions to this consultation, both from individuals and organisations. We have
also taken the views of leaders and members of faith communities - Hazel Blears met with a cross-section of those
leaders and has visited a number of communities across the country. We are grateful for their positive engagement.
"As I said when the consultation started, we recognise the sensitivities around the use of these powers and intend to
use them in a measured and targeted way. These powers are not intended to stifle free speech or legitimate debate about
religions or other issues. Britain is rightly proud of its openness and diversity and we must not allow those driven by
extremism of any sort to destroy that tradition."
A database of individuals around the world who have demonstrated these unacceptable behaviours will be developed and
will be available to entry clearance and immigration officers.
Notes to editors
1. The Home Secretary announced a consultation on the list of unacceptable behaviours in his statement to Parliament on
20 July 2005. The consultation was launched on 5 August 2005 (Home Office press notice 118-05). The consultation
document is available at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/consults/current/index.html
2. Following the consultation, the Home Secretary has modified the list to ensure that it more accurately focuses on the
activities we are seeking to address. He has also removed 'the expression of views that the Government considers to be
extreme and that conflict with the UK's culture of tolerance' from the list of behaviours. He has decided that the other
behaviours listed are sufficient to meet the Government's aims.
3. The list published today does not give the Home Secretary new powers. It simply sets out some of the types of
behaviour that are unacceptable and will normally be grounds on which he will exclude or deport extremists from the UK
on the basis that they are not conducive to the public good. The list is not exhaustive, but sets out specific
behaviours which, if a person engages in them, can lead them to be excluded.
4. The criteria used to exclude or deport individuals on the basis that they are not conducive to the public good are
implemented through policy, and the Home Secretary may vary that criteria whenever necessary. On this basis the list
will be updated to reflect future changes in legislation as they are agreed. The Home Secretary must and will act
consistently, proportionately and reasonably in applying the powers.
5. There is no statutory right of appeal where the Home Secretary applies these powers personally to exclude people
before they come to the UK, although individuals can seek a judicial review of his decision. There is a right of appeal
where immigration or entry clearance officers refuse entry to the UK on the basis that the Home Secretary has excluded a
person. There is also a right of appeal where the Home Secretary, or other Home Office ministers or officials, decide to
deport an individual who is already in the UK.