Gordon Brown Outlines His Security Strategy

Gordon Brown outlines his security strategy

The PM has proposed a series of measures to increase national security and help defeat terrorism. They include a range of options for changing the current 28-day limit on holding terror suspects without charge, the introduction of a border force and increased use of biometric visas, the use of ID cards, and support for local authorities and community groups to fight violent extremism.

In a statement on national security delivered to Parliament today, he said:

"Our priority as a government is a Britain strong in security, robust in our resolve, resilient in response, so that as a nation we both defeat terrorism and isolate violent extremism, wherever we confront it and whatever its source."

The PM explained that the Government would be consulting on four options for changing the 28-day limit. While one option would reduce the risk of holding a suspect without charge for 28 days by allowing post-charge questioning, other options would increase the amount of time that, in rare circumstance, a suspect could be held. Mr Brown explained that the Government had constructively engaged with the human rights organisation, Liberty, when drawing up the proposals.

The PM also announced plans to "strengthen the powers and surveillance capability of our border guards and security officers" by establishing a unified border force. Starting next month, people arriving in Britain will be met at the border by a highly visible, uniformed presence. A single primary checkpoint for both passport control and customs will be introduced shortly afterwards.

Additionally, he confirmed that as well as the biometric visas already in place for immigrants from high-risk countries, within nine months, biometric visas will be extended to all visa applicants.

Mr Brown reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the introduction of ID cards, stating that UK citizens would carry the first biometric ID cards from 2009 and any foreign nationals coming to the UK for more than six months will be required to have a biometric ID from the end of 2008. He said that this would "prevent people already in the country using multiple identities for terrorist, criminal or other purposes".

He also said that he wanted to consult on how intercept evidence was treated and new provisions for pre-charge detention and post-charge questioning.

The PM went on to say:

"Since the attacks of July 7th 2005 communities in Britain and across the world have come together in a common front against terrorism and against the propaganda that fuels it. And this requires not just the security measures I have outlined but that we work with all communities and all countries through debate, discussion, dialogue and education as we tackle at root the evils that risk driving people, particularly vulnerable young people, into the hands of violent extremists.

"Here schools, colleges, universities, civil society, faith groups - indeed every institution in our country - have a part to play."

To help support local authorities and community groups in fighting violent extremism, Mr Brown announced that an additional £70 million would be given to local authorities and community groups.

The Government will also support a new skills qualification in citizenship and community cohesion for faith leaders, sponsor English speaking imams, propose interfaith bodies in every community in the country to build greater understanding, and update guidance to universities. Funding will also be made available for a BBC Arabic channel and an editorially independent Farsi TV channel for the people of Iran.

ENDS

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