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Counter-Terrorism Bill

My Lords, as I have said before, I intervene rarely in these debates as the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, but I thought that I ought to intervene on this occasion because I think that I am largely responsible for the idea that the term ““racial”” should be inserted into the definition. I shall explain why. I was asked to carry out a review of the definition of terrorism in UK law and did so. In carrying out that review, I issued a call, which was advertised publicly, for papers and for views. I received a great many written views in formal documents, by e-mail and in other ways. I also took a roving seminar out to five major cities. I was assisted in inviting to those seminars members of the public, members of the academic community and members of community groups. The attendance at the seminars was variable but overall they were well attended. One of the messages that came across from the representations that I received was that black and minority ethnic communities felt that the inclusion of a term such as ““racial”” in the definition would make it clear that activities such as those of, for example, the white supremacist movements that have arisen in certain parts of the United States could, in certain circumstances, be regarded as terrorist activities. It seemed important that, if we could do so without damaging the definition in any way, we should meet those concerns, so I recommended that the term ““racial”” should be added, or something along those lines. I am not sure, if I may say so with respect, that it is helpful to parse the words and their many possible meanings on the Floor of either House of Parliament. I think that I could argue the case for ““racial”” being distinct from the other words that are included, ““political, religious or ideological””. That does not mean that every racial cause would be treated as terrorist. Every ideological cause is not treated as terrorist; for example, it has become the practice to deal with animal rights terrorism not using terrorist provisions—at least, wherever possible—but under criminal law without giving the protagonists the cachet of regarding themselves, or being regarded, as terrorists. The same could apply to racial causes. I say to your Lordships, without delaying the House further, that the term is included to meet a perception that is potentially damaging to the reputation of the law and which can be met without doing any damage to the integrity of the law.