Ban on legal aid for terrorists ‘could backfire’

A new legislation to halt terrorists professing authorized help threats “unintended consequences” and could enhance the danger of them carrying out a new attack, the government’s terror watchdog has warned Parliament.

Jonathan Hall QC explained that clauses in the new Countrywide Security Invoice bringing in a 30-yr ban on terror convicts professing civil authorized assist were meant by ministers to be “symbolic”.

He said the government’s intention was “to reflect the significance of the bonds with the point out and modern society that are damaged by the fee of terrorist offences”.

But he warned that the reform could backfire by halting them from obtaining support for mental overall health, housing or other issues, and by undermining the odds of them reintegrating productively again into modern society just after launch from jail.

“Even symbolic restrictions may have simple outcomes,” Mr Corridor warns parliamentarians in a briefing observe on the new legislation.

“No introduced terrorist offender is heading to reoffend simply since their obtain to civil legal support is restricted. But authorized suggestions and assistance is relevant to securing aid on housing, personal debt and mental well being.

“A homeless terrorist offender, or a person whose psychological well being requirements are unaddressed, will current a greater chance to the community. There is a possibility of unintended effects.”

Mr Corridor, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, adds that whilst introduced terrorist offenders “do existing a individual risk” the “best outcome” for the community is for them to reintegrate into modern society productively.

“A terrorist offender who goes back again into culture and lives quietly is a rosier prospect than just one who requires perpetual monitoring,” his briefing notice states.