07/06/22
MI5 needs new counter terror policies says Sir Ivor Roberts
The former head of counter-terrorism in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Ivor Roberts has suggested that new policies are needed by MI5 in order to stop terrorists 'slipping through the net'.
Sir Ivor referred to the case of Malik Faisal Akram, originally from Blackburn, who carried out an attack on a Texas synagogue in January.
Akram, 44, was shot dead when the FBI entered the place of worship in Colleyville following a 10-hour stand-off. He held four people hostage during the incident, but they were later released unharmed.
“Despite Akram’s radical views and support of the 9/11 attacks, he had been unsuccessfully referred to Prevent on two separate occasions in 2016 and 2019, MI5 ultimately concluded that he was not a terrorist threat.
“This is a disappointing development from the security services, who do such incredible work on a day-to-day basis to keep us safe.
"I encourage MI5 to develop new policies and thorough checks and balances to ensure dangerous individuals don’t slip through the cracks again.”
Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the London Bridge and Borough Market terror attacks, Sir Ivor commented:
“The 2017 London Bridge attack can be attributed, in significant part, to the failure of the intelligence community to monitor appropriately subjects of interest.
“The primary perpetrator of the attack, Khuram Shazad Butt, was known to both the police and MI5 from as early as 2015.
"At that time he was investigated, but the investigation was quickly ‘moved into the lower echelons’ and his file was classed as ‘low priority’
Eight people were killed and 48 more injured when terrorists ploughed into pedestrians in a hired van on Westminster Bridge, then ran amok with 12 inch knives. Christine Archibald, 30, and Xavier Thomas, 45, died after being struck by the van.
Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sara Zelenak, 21, Kirsty Boden, 28, Sebastien Belanger, 36, and James McMullan, 32, were stabbed near the Boro Bistro on the South Bank.
Ringleader Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, were confronted in Stoney Street and shot dead by police marksmen.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan paid tribute to members of the emergency services who “ran towards danger”, as he marked the anniversary.
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