David Hanson MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Office Minister, said:

“Labour opposed Theresa May’s decision to end control orders ‎and warned that TPIMs would not be effective enough for serious cases. The Home Secretary must now rethink her decision and bring back stronger powers.

“Because of the weakening of the powers, two terror suspects absconded - one in a black cab, one in a burka. Both the independent reviewer and a committee of Parliament has warned that the police and security services have stopped using them because they aren’t effective enough. And the independent reviewer has said the powers aren’t strong enough and new measures should be added.

“The police and security services are warning that there are British citizens who pose a serious threat but who they currently can’t prosecute for crimes abroad - these are exactly the circumstances where control orders with proper judicial oversight and safeguards should be considered.

“Theresa May needs to listen to the concern being expressed across the political divide and reverse her decision. She should strengthen the powers either by reintroducing control orders or bringing in the stronger measures recommended by David Anderson, the independent reviewer. And she should urgently overhaul the Prevent programme so that more is done working with communities to prevent radicalisation in the first place.”

Ends