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Don’t jail hate preachers, says terror ‘tsar’: New storm engulfs QC who said ‘naive’ jihadis returning from Syria should be spared prosecution
Max Hill, the independent reviewer of anti-terror laws, was rebuked by ministers after raising concerns about Theresa May’s plans to create new offences after atrocities in London and Manchester.
Britain’s terror watchdog was last night branded ‘horrifyingly dangerous’ for claiming tough new laws to prosecute extremists would be wrong despite a string of jihadist attacks.
Max Hill, the independent reviewer of anti-terror laws, was rebuked by ministers after raising concerns about Theresa May’s plans to create new offences following a wave of Islamist atrocities in London and Manchester.
In a highly unusual intervention, the Government said it ‘disagreed’ with the top lawyer’s controversial remarks – thinly veiled code for deep unhappiness.
The QC’s comments came only days after he provoked outrage by suggesting ‘naive’ militants returning from the Islamic State war zone should be given space to reintegrate into UK communities instead of prosecuted.
Experts said his words would ‘give succour to those who wish us harm’ and that he was increasing the risk to Britain from terrorism by ‘undermining’ the work of MI5.
Mr Hill used a speech to a charity in central London to warn against a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ to the recent terror attacks.
He said introducing new crimes, including a kind of Asbo for jihadists to prevent them radicalising vulnerable people and measures to silence firebrand preachers or groups, should be shelved.
