Security and Extremism
Latest Security and Extremism Publications
Fishmongers’ Hall: A Preventable Tragedy
Peter Clarke CVO OBE QPMPeter Clarke, Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange, who previously served as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and Head of Counter-Terrorism Command at New Scotland Yard, has warned that the Fishmongers’ Hall terrorist attack was “a preventable tragedy”. In a new paper for Policy Exchange, Fishmongers’ Hall: A Preventable Tragedy, he argues that the relevant police and probation officers lacked the expertise to deal with an Islamist extremist who was ‘one of the most dangerous terrorists to be released from a British prison in recent years’. Clarke urges the Government to move control of prisons from the Ministry of Justice to the Home Office, to improve public safety and security, among other policy proposals.
Justice that protects
Richard WaltonPrisons exist to keep the public safe yet in recent years the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service has shown that they are not capable of properly managing the most dangerous offenders. This paper, by Richard Walton – a former Head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command – argues that it is time for the Home Secretary, and the Home Office, to supervise prisons as they did until 2007. The Ministry of Justice as it is currently configured should be abolished, with a new Lord Chancellor’s Department replacing it to work solely on courts and justice policy, at the same time enshrining in law and practice the independence of the judiciary.
Protest, Parliament and the rule of law
Richard WaltonWith the rhetoric inside the House of Commons ratcheted up to fever pitch this week, it is hardly surprising that protest outside Parliament became equally as chaotic and disruptive.
Latest Security and Extremism Blogs
UK economic policy after a positive week
This was a good news week for the City and for the UK’s levelling up agenda. Nissan’s announcement of a significant investment in Sunderland was an important moment. Not just in terms of the jobs it will safeguard and create, but also given the specific and numerous warnings made regarding the company’s future during the Referendum. It was a watershed moment, further showing that Project Fear has not materialised and that now is the time to look ahead to recognise the immense policy focus that is needed to ensure strong, sustained growth.
Campaigners should not be given a veto over the Prevent Reviewer
Should groups of campaigners have a veto over certain public appointments? Presumably, most of us would say no. Yet this is effectively what is now being attempted as part of a boycott campaign opposing the appointment of William Shawcross as independent reviewer of Prevent; the national counter-radicalisation programme.
Terrorism and treason once more
Following the latest attack in Westminster and another planned against Oxford Street, Professor Richard Ekins, Head of Policy Exchange’s Judicial Power Project, reiterates the need to update our law of treason.
Latest Security and Extremism News
Policy Exchange welcomes Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, for discussion on religious freedom and extremism
Dean Godson, Director of Policy Exchange, was delighted to welcome Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State, to Policy Exchange’s London offices for a discussion on religious freedom and extremism of all kinds. The discussion included the role of the state in combatting religious extremism and how the UK and the United States can work closely together to deal with these challenges.
Home Secretary to examine Treason law proposal
Policy Exchange’s proposal for a new law of Treason, which would help prosecute returning Isis fighters, was discussed in the House of Commons this week and received front page coverage in The Daily Telegraph.
Peers back Policy Exchange proposal to update treason laws
On the first day back after Parliamentary recess, Policy Exchange’s proposal to update the Law of Treason was raised by two former ministers as the House of Lords debated the Government’s latest Counter Terrorism Bill.
Latest Security and Extremism Events
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 11 March, 2019
18:00 - 19:30
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.
- Wednesday, 12 September, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
A discussion to mark the launch of “Oceans Ventured: Winning the Cold War at Sea” – the new book by former US Secretary of the Navy John Lehman.
- Thursday, 26 July, 2018
11:30 - 13:00
United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash spoke at Policy Exchange on “The Role of the Arab Gulf in Building Peace in the Middle East”.
- Thursday, 28 June, 2018
13:00 - 14:30
Secretary of State for International Development Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP and Brigadier John Deverell spoke on the strategic role of soft power, outlining how her vision for the future of UK development policy applies in the context of civilian–military cooperation, the interplay between hard and soft power, and the importance of development’s role alongside defence and diplomacy.
- Wednesday, 27 June, 2018
11:00 - 12:30
At a time of growing international instability, the Five Eyes intelligence arrangements (which brings the UK together with the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand) is of vital important to the security of Britain and its allies. While questions are being raised over the long-term future of NATO, Five Eyes represents another crucial pillar of our national security – mitigating threats from hostile states, terrorism, and other non state actors. Why does the continuation of the Five Eyes matter and what can be done to support and enhance it for the challenges ahead?
- Wednesday, 13 June, 2018
13:00 - 14:30
Launching his new book, The Muslim Brotherhood and the West: A History of Enmity and Engagement, Policy Exchange’s Co-head of Extremism and Security Dr Martyn Frampton, provided an overview of the charged relationship between one of the world’s largest political Islamist movements and the Western powers. He was joined for a discussion by chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat MP and Sir John Jenkins, former British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
- Monday, 26 February, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
The acute threat we face from terrorism will only be tackled when the whole of society understands and responds to the chronic threat from extremism, says Mark Rowley in his keynote valedictory address as Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police for Specialist Operations and National Lead for Counter Terrorism Policing delivered at Policy Exchange.
- Wednesday, 10 January, 2018
18:00 - 19:30
18:00 – Registration 18:30 – Start 19:30 – End Policy Exchange invites you to: North Korea: Is There A Military Option To Counter The Threat? with Lieutenant General (Ret.) I.-B. Chun, Former Commander, South Korea Special Warfare Command Lieutenant General I.-B. Chun is one of the most decorated officers in South Korea’s military history. He retired in July 2016 (more…)
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
- Thursday, 28 September, 2017
18:00 - 19:30
Policy Exchange was delighted to welcome the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Australia’s immigration minister, who reflected on the need for a carefully managed migration system in order to maintain public support for continuing new arrivals. A packed audience heard how the Australian government’s approach has tackled people trafficking while also ensuring Australia has the skilled migrants it needs and maintaining a generous settlement programme for refugees.
- Monday, 26 June, 2017
11:45 - 13:00
Policy Exchange was delighted to host a talk by former New Scotland Yard Chief Officer Mak Chishty on the need for a new national strategy to combat violent extremism.
Venue: Policy Exchange
Address:
