Ban on legal aid for terrorists ‘could backfire’

A new regulation to end terrorists saying legal aid risks “unintended consequences” and could enhance the danger of them carrying out a new assault, the government’s terror watchdog has warned Parliament.

Jonathan Hall QC explained that clauses in the new Nationwide Stability Invoice bringing in a 30-12 months ban on terror convicts professing civil lawful help had been supposed by ministers to be “symbolic”.

He claimed the government’s purpose 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 stopping them from finding assistance for mental well being, housing or other problems, and by undermining the likelihood of them reintegrating properly back again into culture soon after launch from prison.

“Even symbolic restrictions could have useful outcomes,” Mr Corridor warns parliamentarians in a briefing notice on the new laws.

“No released terrorist offender is likely to reoffend basically since their obtain to civil legal aid is restricted. But lawful assistance and guidance is suitable to securing help on housing, personal debt and mental wellness.

“A homeless terrorist offender, or one particular whose mental overall health needs are unaddressed, will present a better possibility to the general public. There is a hazard of unintended effects.”

Mr Corridor, the independent reviewer of terrorism laws, adds that despite the fact that produced terrorist offenders “do existing a specific risk” the “best outcome” for the general public is for them to reintegrate into culture effectively.

“A terrorist offender who goes again into modern society and lives quietly is a rosier prospect than a single who demands perpetual monitoring,” his briefing take note states.