The case for a new treason offence

Ministers believe that the present legal framework isn’t fit for purpose if prosecutions of returning terrorists are to be successful. 

Lewis becomes the first Conservative MP to lose the whip during this Parliament. But he may not be the last.

For the Party to take it off him is one thing; for the Government to recast the committee, or try to, would be quite another.

Iain Dale: No gloating, no jingoism, please. Let’s not rub Remainers’ noses in it.

Plus: No nay to Huawei. Or to HS2, too. And: my looming interview with Pompeo on his visit to London.

Terror attacks and the election

In 2017, they turned out, perhaps surprisingly, not to boost the cause of “the party of law and order”. What happens next this time round?

Is the Official Secrets Act fit for purpose?

That newspapers may technically be open to proceedings over the Darroch cables highlights weaknesses in our legislation.

“Old threats return as new ones emerge.” Javid’s New Scotland Yard speech – full text

We are citizens of one of the safest countries in the world, and a genuine intelligence and security superpower.

Ultimately, Begum is a distraction. The main issue is not terrorists’ brides, but terrorists themselves. Where are they?

The Home Secretary is afloat on a sargasso sea of returning jihadis, human rights laws, bewildering intelligence, gaps in the law – and a shrieking media.

Bob Seely: The rule of law is an absolute. It cannot be dispensed with when we deal with ISIS terrorists.

A key moral from the case of Shamima Begum is that we need better information both to protect and prosecute.

“Globally, Muslims are by far the biggest victims of Islamist terrorism.” Javid’s counter-terrorism strategy speech – full text

Ultimately, our approach is about ensuring that there are no safe spaces for terrorists. We will work more closely with key partners outside of central government.

Kenneth Clarke: Britain’s anti-torture policy must be strengthened

We need strong and effective intelligence services. But we should demonstrate that this can be combined with decent and ethical standards of civilised conduct.

Bob Seely: Kremlin-linked oligarchs’ money is used to harm our democracy – we must defend ourselves

Those who run Russia believe themselves to be in a ‘political war’ with the West. We need to treat the Kremlin as a threat rather than an irritant.

Garvan Walshe: How to show Putin we are taking the Salisbury attack seriously

The UK can not allow Russia to believe it got away with it without serious consequences.

WATCH: The Prime Minister announces the expulsion of spies in answer to Putin’s “contempt and defiance”

She also told the Commons of new sanctions, Magnitsky legislation, and additional powers to curb the activities of the Kremlin’s agents.

Williamson’s verdict at Westminster, not attempted murder in Salisbury, is our best guide to responding to Putin

Last month, he told the Defence Select Committee that Russia has ousted terrorism from the top of the national threat list – which has big spending implications.

It’s not a ‘smear’ to say chunks of the 20th Century Left were Soviet useful idiots – or worse

Throughout the Cold War there were many good people on the Left who held to what was right. Then there were people like Corbyn and Milne.