Cry Treason! Does the UK need to restore the law of treason?

a panel discussion on treason law reform

with
Rt Hon Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL
former Director General, Security Service

Rt Hon Lord Judge PC
former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

Jo Morris
Barrister, Charter Chambers

Tom Tugendhat MBE MP
Co-author, Aiding the Enemy: How and why to restore the law of treason

The problem of jihadi brides and ISIL fighters has made discussions about reform of the law of treason a matter of high public importance.  Policy Exchange is proud to have led the public conversation about this issue, beginning with publication in July 2018 of a major cross-party report on modernisation of the law.

The report, Aiding the Enemy: How and why to restore the law of treason – written by Professor Richard Ekins (University of Oxford and Head of Policy Exchange’s Judicial Power Project), Patrick Hennessey (barrister and former soldier), Khalid Mahmood MP and Tom Tugendhat MP – considers fundamental questions about citizenship, loyalty and betrayal. It also reviews terrorism, espionage and treason law in comparative perspective, and outlines the inadequacies of the existing legal regime.

The report’s recommendation for reform of the law of treason was taken up in the House of Lords last year, leading to amendments being proposed to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill.  Last month, the report was raised again in both Houses of Parliament, with the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, the Home Secretary, confirming that the Government is examining the idea closely.