Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the Government’s announcement that following support from all parties for a Labour amendment, they will introduce judicial oversight for temporary exclusion orders, said:

“Strong powers need strong checks and balances. We argued from the start that there should be judicial oversight of these new powers to prevent abuse - and put forward amendments on this today. As the Independent Reviewer David Anderson has said, power should not be concentrated in the hands of the Home Secretary.

“So it is right that after the debate on our amendment, the Tories and Lib Dems have now u-turned on judicial safeguards and have said they will now be introduced in the House of Lords.

“More needs to be done to deal with the serious problem of those being radicalised by ISIL and travelling to fight in Syria. Some of those being drawn into the conflict may have committed terrible crimes and should be prosecuted, and they may pose a serious threat to Britain too.

“That’s why we have long called for strengthening Prevent and for the Government to change its position on TPIMs having weakened them three years ago.

“But action always needs to be based on evidence. Instead the Government’s approach has been muddled, and they haven’t made sure that strong powers are matched with strong checks and balances to ensure they are not abused. We will ensure the Government keeps its word in the Lords.”