Boris Johnson vows to end early jail release and keep terrorists caged if re-elected PM

0
49

TERRORISTS will be forced to serve EVERY DAY of their prison sentence under an overhaul of the criminal justice system pledged by Boris Johnson yesterday.

The PM promised the worst offenders will be locked up for a minimum of 14 years if he wins a majority in the general election next week.

Boris Johnson and Priti Patel visit the scene of the London Bridge terror attack
London Bridge attacker Usman Khan, 28, was convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences

He will end automatic early release for those convicted of terrorism, rape or serious violence and sexual offences.

Mr Johnson said the trail of death left on London Bridge by freed madman Usman Khan had made him angry and determined to act.

Khan was let out jail after serving half his 11-year sentence under an early release rule passed by Gordon Browns Labour government in 2008.

After visiting the scene of the attack on Saturday, Mr Johnson declared: This system has got to end.

If you are convicted of a serious terrorist offence, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years and some should never be released.

Further, for all terrorism and extremist offences, the sentence announced by the judge must be the time actually served. These criminals must serve every day of their sentence, with no exceptions.

These simple changes, in line with what Ive been saying since becoming Prime Minister, would have prevented this attack.

I believe they will help stop further attacks and these changes will be made urgently in the New Year if I am returned to Downing Street with a majority.

‘END SOFT JUSTICE’

Mr Johnson has been arguing for tougher sentences for the past four months spurred on by his Home Secretary Priti Patel, who joined him at the scene on Saturday.

Ms Patel recently won a battle with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to include a tougher sentencing regime in the Tory manifesto.

She told HOAR on Sunday: Its fair to say that the public are equally as disgusted as me by the pathetically lenient sentences so often given to dangerous criminals.

I want to bring an end to this slap-on-the-wrist culture and toughen up the criminal justice system.

Its our duty to protect the public and the are right to expect that from their government.

‘BROKEN’ PARLIAMENT

Mr Johnson blamed the zombie Parliament for delaying tougher jail terms as MPs ate up time trying to thwart Brexit.

He said: We took some steps to do this before the election. However, due to the broken hung Parliament that was preoccupied with blocking Brexit, we could not do more.

We simply cannot risk being in the same situation for the next five years where Parliament cannot do whats needed. We need a government that can act.

The PM said his swift changes would be backed by a massive prison-building programme to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

He will also reform human rights laws to shift the balance of the law in favour of security and intelligence services.

Money-grabbing lawyers have used the right to private life to stop surveillance of terrorists and place limits on undercover activities aimed at protecting the public.

Mr Johnson said it places unacceptable limits on police and intelligence chiefs.

He also took a swipe at Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn whom he accused of planning to weaken our system and give more power to unscrupulous human rights lawyers, which would make Britain less safe.

The PM added: We need a big change of direction on violent crime and security.

What I have seen over the last 24 hours has made me angry. Its absolutely clear that we cant carry on with the failed approaches of the past.

It concerns me that Jeremy Corbyn is setting out plans to weaken our system and make it more difficult for our security services to stop people who want to do us harm.

DEFENDING COPS

He also defended cops against unfair criticism for shooting the London Bridge attacker.

BoJo said: I totally reject this. The police had very good reasons to think the attacker presented a real and deadly threat.

They had to make split second decisions. I know the overwhelming majority of the country will join me in giving them our absolute support.

As Prime Minister I will always back our security services, our police and our troops. I will give them the funding they need and boost their numbers. I will support them when they make difficult decisions in dangerous situations.

I will ensure they do not come under constant attack from the human rights lobby who would weaken our anti-terror laws.

Mr Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell both voted against changing the law so that anyone carrying a knife for a second time would face jail.

The Labour leader has also campaigned for shorter prison sentences and better conditions for prisoners.

Mr Johnson added: Our changes can only be achieved with a Conservative majority government. Jeremy Corbyn has a totally different view of security and a totally different set of policies. I do not believe he can provide the leadership on security that this country needs.

Usman Khan, third from the right, was arrested in 2012 along with his Al Qaeda cell, pictured
London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan, circled, was arrested in 2012 along with his Al Qaeda cell, pictured
Usman Khan was wielding two knives when he was eventually pinned down on London Bridge on November 29
London Bridge heroes fight off Khan with a narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher
Brave passersby pin down jihadi Khan while another takes one of the killer’s knives away
Armed cops remove a civilian from the scene and train their guns on Usman Khan, who is on the ground
Emergency services can be seen giving a person CPR at London Bridge
Emergency services can be seen giving a person CPR at London Bridge
London Bridge terror attack victim Jack Merritt, 25, was described as a ‘beautiful spirit’