Watching terror propaganda online should be made illegal to help cops and MI5, says London Bridge attack coroner
WATCHING propaganda which incites terror should be made illegal, a report into the London Bridge atrocity says.
Chief Coroner Judge Mark Lucraft QC said a loophole means it may currently be impossible for police or MI5 to act even when they know suspects own the most offensive and shocking material.
His dossier also highlighted how MI5 dropped two inquiries into attack ringleader Khuram Butt, 27. It said this is a matter of “legitimate public concern”.
Butt and accomplices Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were shot dead by police after ploughing a rented van into pedestrians before stabbing revellers around Borough Market.
Butt had watched extremist material online, including violent images and sermons from Islamic hate preachers.
Mr Lucraft called for new laws to make viewing or owning such material a criminal offence in the same category as the most offensive pornography.
He said: “While there are offences of possessing a document likely to be useful in committing an act of terrorism, and of disseminating terrorist publications, there is no offence of possessing terrorist or extremist material.
“The lack of such an offence may sometimes prevent counter-terror police taking disruptive action.”
In the report published yesterday, Mr Lucraft highlighted 18 “matters of concern”. They included the fact that investigations into Butt were suspended twice because MI5 needed to divert experienced staff to other operations.
The second suspension lasted six weeks, with the probe restarting a month before the June 2017 attack.
Mr Lucraft said it was “possible, but for that suspension, further useful intelligence about Butt would have been obtained, including more information about his links to the other attackers”.
He said when necessary investigations should be “scaled back” rather than put on ice.
He called the work of MI5 and police “generally thorough and rigorous”. But he made a series of suggestions about how they could work more closely to ensure tips are properly shared.
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An inquest concluded that Xavier Thomas, 45, Chrissy Archibald, 30, Sara Zelenak, 21, James McMullan, 32, Kirsty Boden, 28, Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sebastien Belanger, 36, and Ignacio Echeverria, 39, were unlawfully killed by the terrorists.
Last night Helen Boniface, of law firm Hogan Lovells representing six of their families, said: “We are pleased the Chief Coroner has recognised the risks presented by terrorist propaganda. The response on the night by many was commendable. But failings and delays were also seen.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel has until January 10 to respond to the report.
18 findings by coroner
THE Chief Coroner made 18 recommendations to tackle failings or areas of concern.
They included urging MI5 and anti-terror cops to consider whether inquiries into terror suspects should be scaled back rather than dropped altogether.
Judge Mark Lucraft QC suggested allowing paramedics on to the scene of terror attacks quicker, and better communication between MI5 and police.
The report also said there were “weaknesses” in putting in place security measures to prevent vehicles being used as weapons — with barriers installed on London Bridge only after the attack.
Mr Lucraft also called for action to reduce the risk of rented vehicles being used in terror attacks.
He suggested automated checking of rentals against lists of terror suspects.
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