The director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has issued rioters a warning that terrorism legislation is currently being used in one case and more could be charged with “terrorism offences.”
Following a COBRA meeting the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowed that communities across the UK “will be safe” and rioters will “feel the full force of the law.”
Speaking to the BBC Parkinson said, “There are sentencing guidelines which indicate that many people who have been caught up in this disorder will face immediate imprisonment. There should be no doubt about that. They are going to prison.
“We are willing to look at terrorism offences. I’m aware of at least one instance where that is happening. Where you have organised groups planning activity for the purposes of advancing an ideology… planning really, really serious disruption – then yes, we will consider terrorism offences.”
Jonathan Hall KC who is the governments independent reviewer of terrorism has warned that during a “live incident” by invoking terrorism powers, this could “end up with finger-pointing at one group.”
He said, “I think that you need to be cautious about applying counter-terrorism in effectively a live incident.
“It could be escalatory, you’ll end up with finger-pointing. One group will start saying: ‘Well if you’re calling these people terrorists, why don’t you call it these people terrorists?'”
Leave a Comment