Convicted jihadists to be banned from Christmas markets

Convicted or suspected jihadists will be banned from going to crowded areas this festive season in a bid to assure British people that they are protected, it was reported on Monday (9).

Justice secretary Robert Buckland said tough restrictions will be imposed on Islamist extremists in the wake of the London Bridge attack.

Jihadists will be banned from travelling to places where there are large gatherings, which includes festive markets, sports stadiums and shopping centres.

Buckland told the Mail: “Christmas is coming so we are absolutely right to do this. Given what has happened, there will be much more comprehensive restrictions for these people.

“There will be tougher travel restrictions, stopping them going to crowded places such as Christmas markets. It's important that we give the highest degree of confidence to the British people that they are protected from the people who want to inflict terror.

“We can't let our way of life be undermined.”

London Bridge attacker Usman Khan, 28, was shot dead by police after he went on a rampage two weeks ago, killing two and injuring three others.

Khan was arrested in 2010 from Stoke as part of a nine-member Al Qaeda plot to blow up the London Stock Exchange and plans to set up a terrorist training factory in the garb of a madrassa.

He was jailed indefinitely for public protection in 2012, but this was replaced by a 16-year sentence on appeal.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has said it is “ridiculous” and “repulsive” that someone as dangerous as Khan could be released after only eight years.

Speaking on the BBC Andrew Marr show, the prime minister blamed Khan’s release on Labour, saying: "His release was necessary under the law because of the automatic early release scheme under which he was sentenced, that was the reality, and that was brought in by Labour with the support of Jeremy Corbyn and the rest of the Labour Party.

"I opposed it both in 2003 and 2008, and now that I am Prime Minister I’m going to take steps to make sure that people are not released early when they commit… serious sexual, violent or terrorist offences."

A Conservative Party spokesman was quoted as saying: “This is exactly why the PM called for changes in August to our sentencing regime but this was stalled because of the gridlock in parliament.

“If we get a working majority we will change the law to ensure serious terrorists serve at least a 14-year term and every day of the sentence they are handed down. Unfortunately Jeremy Corbyn has said that he does not think terrorists should 'necessarily' serve a full sentence.”