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THE TERRORISM ACTS IN 2015

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEWER ON THE

OPERATION OF THE TERRORISM ACT 2000 AND

PART 1 OF THE TERRORISM ACT 2006

by

DAVID ANDERSON Q.C.

Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

DECEMBER 2016

THE TERRORISM ACTS IN 2015

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REVIEWER ON THE

OPERATION OF THE TERRORISM ACT 2000 AND

PART 1 OF THE TERRORISM ACT 2006

by

DAVID ANDERSON Q.C.

Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

Presented to Parliament

pursuant to

Section 36(5) of the

Terrorism Act 2006

December 2016

© David Anderson 2016

The text of this document (this excludes, where present, the Royal Arms and all departmental or

agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is

reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as David Anderson copyright and the document title specified. Where third party material has been identified, permission from the respective copyright holder must be sought. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to the Independent Reviewer at independent.reviewer@brickcourt.co.uk or by post to David Anderson Q.C. at Brick Court

Chambers, 7-8 Essex Street, London WC2R 3LD.

This publication is available at http://terrorismlegislationreviewer.independent.gov.uk

Print ISBN 9781474138871

Web ISBN 9781474138888

ID 14111609 12/16

Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum.

Office

1

CONTENTS

Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. THREAT PICTURE 9

3. THE COUNTER-TERRORISM MACHINE 19

4. DEFINITION OF TERRRORISM 24

5. PROSCRIBED ORGANISATIONS 27

6. STOP AND SEARCH 34

7. PORT AND BORDER CONTROLS 38

8. ARREST AND DETENTION 58

9. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS 69

10. RECOMMENDATIONS 83

11. CONCLUSIONS 87

ANNEXES

ANNEX 1: LIST OF ACRONYMS 92

ANNEX 2: FOREIGN TERRORIST FIGHTERS AND UK COUNTERTERRORISM LAW 96 (GUEST CHAPTER BY PROF EMERITUS CLIVE WALKER Q.C. (Hon)) ANNEX 3: ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE 135 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The UK escaped largely unscathed in 2015 from, by recent standards, a particularly bad year for terrorism in Western Europe. But the threat remains severe: attack plots continue to be disrupted, and (in Northern Ireland) to get through (Chapter 2). A substantial increase in cross-Government spending on counter-terrorism was announced in November 2015 (3.5). Though Brexit seems likely to end UK leadership in the formulation of EU security policy and laws, there are strong operational reasons for maintaining access to EU mechanisms that others may devise and develop (3.15-3.20). The definition of terrorism has been trimmed by the Court of Appeal in the Miranda case, but remains over-broad (Chapter 4). Eight groups have been proscribed since the start of 2015. Procedures for deproscription remain inadequate, and the continued proscription of groups that do not satisfy the statutory test is particularly unsatisfactory (Chapter 5). The Terrorism Act power to stop and search without suspicion was once again not used (Chapter 6). Use of police powers to examine people at ports and airports declined by two-thirds between 2009/10 and 2015/16, but continues to be productive (Chapter 7). Terrorism-related arrests in Great Britain were stable (280 in 2015), but at a higher rate than the long-term average. Terrorism Act arrests were below average in Northern Ireland (149 in 2015/16) but remain numerous as a proportion of the population and continue to result in a poor charging rate (Chapter 8). There were 56 terrorist trials in Great Britain in 2015: the principal convictions are analysed, and a development in sentencing is noted (Chapter 9). There is discussion of the legal treatment of radicalisers (9.44-9.52) and of foreign terrorist fighters (in a Guest Chapter by Prof Clive Walker: Annex 2). Room for improvement is identified in 21 specific recommendations: they cover the collection of statistics, ambit of review, definition of terrorism, deproscription, port controls, arrest and detention and criminal offences (Chapter 10). But the overall picture is of appropriately strong laws, responsibly implemented, less intrusive than six years ago and with a good recent record of surviving challenge against European human rights standards (Chapter 11). Despite the broad discretions that characterise UK counter-terrorism law, I reject the false narrative of power-hungry security services, police insensitivity to community concerns, and laws constantly being ratcheted up to new levels of oppression (11.14). But trust needs to be continually earned. Threats to our liberties can come at any time, and continued vigilance will be needed in the future (Chapter 11). 3

1. INTRODUCTION

This report

1.1 I am required by section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2006 [TA 2006] to review the operation

during each calendar year of the Terrorism Act 2000 [TA 2000] and to report.1 As in previous years (though no longer tied to an annual report by statute),2 I report at the same time on Part 1 of TA 2006. I also touch on some matters covered by the Counter- Terrorism Act 2008 [CTA 2008].3 The report covers the calendar year 2015, but makes frequent reference to events in 2016.4

1.2 This is my sixth and final annual report on the Terrorism Acts, and the 18th report I have

produced in all since taking up appointment as Independent Reviewer in February 2011. I intend to publish or work on two further reports before the expiry of my second term of office in early 2017.5 My previous reports, together with the Go them and much other material, are freely downloadable from my website.6

1.3 The function of the Independent Reviewer, as it was explained when reviews were first

look at the use made of the statutory powers relating to consider whether, for example, any change in the pattern of their use needed to be drawn to the attention of Parliament7 For more than 35 years, successive Independent Reviewers have used their reports to ask whether special powers continue to be necessary for fighting terrorism, and to make recommendations for reform.8

1.4 The essence of independent review lies in the combination of three concepts not often

seen together: complete independence from Government; unrestricted access to classified documents and national security personnel; and a statutory obligation on 9 My reports are based on broad reading and on the widest possible range of interviews

1 All acronyms used in this report are explained at Annex 1.

2 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 [CTSA 2015] s45, amending TA 2006 s36(4); see D. Anderson, The

Terrorism Acts in 2014, September 2015, 10.6-10.7.

3 See 9.24 and 9.29-9.31 below. CTA 2008 was added to the statutory responsibilities of the Independent Reviewer

by CTSA 2015.

4 The bulk of this report was submitted to Government in mid-September 2016, and a final version for security

checking on 9 October. I have in a few respects been able to take account of subsequent material.

5 Into (1) the policy of Deportation with Assurances and (2) the operation of various executive powers (Terrorism

Prevention and Investigation Measures [TPIMs], terrorist asset-freezing, Temporary Exclusion Orders and police

passport removal powers) which I have authority to oversee. See my letter of 28 January 2016 to the Home

Secretary: https://terrorismlegislationreviewer.independent.gov.uk/work-plan-for-2016/#more-2643.

6 https://terrorismlegislationreviewer.independent.gov.uk. The most recent is The Terrorism Acts in 2014 (September

2015). A relatively full introduction to the Terrorism Acts is The Terrorism Acts in 2012 (July 2013). See further

-Terrorism Legislation (2014).

7 Lord Elton, Hansard HL 8 March 1984, vol 449 cols 405-406.

8

Public Law 403-420, available from my website.

9 The I agree that the reports of the Independent Reviewer should be

published and laid before Parliament promptly on receipt of the final draft. I am confident that this is already the

case and that it will continue Acts by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, March 2013, Cm 8494. 4 and contacts, both in the UK and (for comparative purposes) abroad. They aim to inform so far as is possible within the necessary constraints of secrecy the parliamentary and public debate over anti-terrorism powers and civil liberties in the UK.

1.5 Whilst reviewing and reporting remain my staple functions, I communicate increasingly

through speeches, articles and podcasts, media appearances, posts on my website10 and tweets (@terrorwatchdog).11 This allows for a quicker reaction to important events, judgments or legislative developments, and often results in valuable dialogue with people whom I have not had the opportunity to meet off-line.

1.6 Despite additional claims on my time,12 I have continued to receive regular briefings,

travelled throughout the United Kingdom and done my best to keep abreast of significant developments. Invitations to New Zealand and Canada have deepened my comparative knowledge. I have also, since their security clearance came through in spring 2016, been able to call on a small team of Special Advisers: Emeritus Professor Clive Walker QC (Hon) and the barristers Alyson Kilpatrick and Hashi Mohamed who are based respectively in Belfast and in London.13 Each has many other pressing claims on their time, but their collective expertise is extensive and diverse. The first fruits of their assistance are evident in this report.14

Legislative change

1.7 The Terrorism Acts were amended in a number of respects in 2015:

a) CTSA 2015 received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015. It made changes to the remit of the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, discussed in Chapter 10 of my last annual report.15 It also empowered the Secretary of State to make regulations establishing a Privacy and Civil Liberties Board [PCLB] to provide advice and assistance to the Independent Reviewer (ss 44-46). The Secretary of State decided after the May 2015 General Election not to make such regulations,16 but

10 In 2015, 26,350 users opened 38,748 sessions on the site, with 74,624 page views. 77% of sessions were from the

UK and 5% from the USA. Canada, France and Australia each accounted for 500-600 sessions. Germany, the

Netherlands, India and New Zealand each accounted for 200-400 sessions. Between the site going live in April

2011 and June 2016, a total of over 132,000 sessions and 250,000 page views were recorded from over

96,000 users. (Source: Home Office Digital Communications)

11 By early October 2016, @terrorwatchdog had some 6,500 twitter followers in more than 60 countries.

12 My normal statutory responsibilities were significantly and unexpectedly supplemented by the Bulk Powers Review,

which occupied me for almost three months prior to its publication in August 2016. An additional one-off report, into

citizenship removal, was published in April 2016.

13 See https://terrorismlegislationreviewer.independent.gov.uk/moving-in-moving-on/. This is in addition to the

exceptional support received from Professor Walker since 2011, identifying materials for me to read and giving

advice.

14 I am grateful for the administrative assistance I have received during my period as Independent Reviewer from Kate

Trott and Jayne Boulton in Brick Court Chambers, as well as from Ursula Antwi-Boasiako, Deborah Child, Sukina

Smith and Simon Holmes at OSCT.

15 The Terrorism Acts in 2014, September 2015, 10.6-10.7

16 Ibid., 10.12-10.17.

5 instead to provide an annual budget of £50,000 for further assistance to the

Independent Reviewer.

b) CTSA 2015 also made further changes to the scope of the Schedule 7 power (s43 and Schedule 8), confirmed that it is an offence for insurers to make payments in response to terrorist demands (s42), reformed the law relating to TPIMs (Part 2), and introduced two new powers to provide temporary restrictions on travel (Part 1), which fall outside the ambit of this report but will be reported upon (together with the operation of the TPIM and asset-freezing regimes) in early 2017.17 c) The Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 [CJCA 2015] also received Royal Assent on 12 February 2015. Sections 1, 3, 6 and Schedule 1, commenced on 13 April 2015, increased the maximum sentences for certain Terrorism Act offences from 10 or 14 years to life imprisonment, and brought them within the dangerous offenders sentencing scheme, thus introducing the possibility of whole life orders.18 d) The Serious Crime Act 2015 [SCA 2015] received Royal Assent on 3 March 2015. Section 81 provides for extra-territorial jurisdiction for the offence under TA 2006 s5 (conduct in preparation for terrorism) and extends existing extra-territorial jurisdiction for TA 2006 s6 (training for terrorism). The contemplated effect was to allow for prosecutions of people who had, for example, travelled from the UK to fight in Syria, and in respect of whom there might be evidence from (for example) social media, communications or persons they had encountered abroad. There are early signs that notwithstanding the obvious difficulties of evidence-gathering in Syria, this extension may prove useful in bringing to trial in the UK some of those who have trained or prepared for terrorism abroad.

1.8 There have been no amendments to the Terrorism Acts thus far in 2016. However:

(a) An amendment to TA 2000 Schedule 8 is currently before Parliament in the Policing and Crime Bill (clause 70). The purpose of the amendment is to allow the DNA and fingerprints of a person arrested under TA 2000 s41 to be retained not only (as at present) if they have a previous conviction within the UK, but also on the basis of an equivalent conviction outside the UK. Similar amendments are being made to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 [PACE]. These amendments are supported by the police and respond to a long-standing recommendation of the Biometrics Commissioner. (b) Clauses 68 and 69 of the Policing and Crime Bill will introduce an offence, quotesdbs_dbs27.pdfusesText_33

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