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Post-Brexit immigration controls would likely do little to stop Isis attacks Brexit and terrorism: EU immigration is not the main danger
(about 3 hours later)
How would Brexit affect the threat to the UK from Islamic militancy? A crucial question, though not one that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis, probably spends much time worrying about.How would Brexit affect the threat to the UK from Islamic militancy? A crucial question, though not one that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis, probably spends much time worrying about.
Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, the British foreign intelligence service, believes that an advantage of leaving the union is that it would allow the UK “greater control over immigration from the EU”.Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, the British foreign intelligence service, believes that an advantage of leaving the union is that it would allow the UK “greater control over immigration from the EU”.
Related: Belgian ministers 'offered to resign' over Brussels attacks – liveRelated: Belgian ministers 'offered to resign' over Brussels attacks – live
But how significant are migrants from Europe to the terrorist threat in or against the UK?But how significant are migrants from Europe to the terrorist threat in or against the UK?
Dearlove was head of MI6 from 1999 until 2004. He presided over the service when the emerging global threat posed by Islamic militancy crystallised in a series of attacks, primarily by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. The most infamous took place in the US on 11 September 2001. There were many others.Dearlove was head of MI6 from 1999 until 2004. He presided over the service when the emerging global threat posed by Islamic militancy crystallised in a series of attacks, primarily by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida. The most infamous took place in the US on 11 September 2001. There were many others.
In this period the flow of extremism was more from the UK to the EU rather than vica versa. There were the preachers and activists from the Middle East who had fled to London to take advantage of the UK’s relatively tolerant attitude to Islamists – much to the frustration of French authorities in particular. In this period the flow of extremism was more from the UK to the EU than vice versa. There were the preachers and activists from the Middle East who had fled to London to take advantage of the UK’s relatively tolerant attitude to Islamists – much to the frustration of French authorities in particular.
Some were wanted for extremist activities in Europe, such as Djamal Beghal, an Algerian organiser later jailed in France and linked to the Charlie Hebdo attack last year, or Abu Doha, another militant detained at Heathrow in 2001. In December that year, a British terrorist took off from Paris aiming to bring down a passenger jet bound for the US.Some were wanted for extremist activities in Europe, such as Djamal Beghal, an Algerian organiser later jailed in France and linked to the Charlie Hebdo attack last year, or Abu Doha, another militant detained at Heathrow in 2001. In December that year, a British terrorist took off from Paris aiming to bring down a passenger jet bound for the US.
The main overseas connection from the UK in the early 2000s was to Pakistan, and to a lesser extent north Africa. A plot to attack shopping malls involved mainly British-born men – plus one who was Algerian-born and raised in London – who travelled to the homeland of their parents and grandparents to get training.The main overseas connection from the UK in the early 2000s was to Pakistan, and to a lesser extent north Africa. A plot to attack shopping malls involved mainly British-born men – plus one who was Algerian-born and raised in London – who travelled to the homeland of their parents and grandparents to get training.
Neither the 7/7 bombers who attacked London in 2005 nor the unsuccessful 21/7 bombers who followed them came from elsewhere in Europe. Only a tiny minority of other attacks over the following half decade or so have any connection to the EU. Some involved migrants, but rarely from Europe.Neither the 7/7 bombers who attacked London in 2005 nor the unsuccessful 21/7 bombers who followed them came from elsewhere in Europe. Only a tiny minority of other attacks over the following half decade or so have any connection to the EU. Some involved migrants, but rarely from Europe.
Some of these plots involved so-called “lone wolves” – such as the young British woman who stabbed an MP in 2010. Others were more developed and did have connections overseas, though still usually to Pakistan. Again, few, if any, plots are known to have involved people from elsewhere in the EU.Some of these plots involved so-called “lone wolves” – such as the young British woman who stabbed an MP in 2010. Others were more developed and did have connections overseas, though still usually to Pakistan. Again, few, if any, plots are known to have involved people from elsewhere in the EU.
The Syrian civil war and the rise of Islamic State changed much. About 800 Britons have now travelled to Syria, as well as 1,500 French nationals and 800 Belgians. Many of the men who attacked Paris in November, killing 130, and who struck in Brussels on Tuesday, killing 31, were former combatants with Isis. The group has claimed responsibility for their acts and has issued specific threats against the UK. The Syrian civil war and the emergence of Islamic State changed much. About 800 Britons have now travelled to Syria, as well as 1,500 French nationals and 800 Belgians. Many of the men who attacked Paris in November, killing 130, and who struck in Brussels on Tuesday, killing 31, were former combatants with Isis. The group has claimed responsibility for their acts and has issued specific threats against the UK.
Related: Would Brexit really undermine the UK's intelligence capabilities?Related: Would Brexit really undermine the UK's intelligence capabilities?
The ease with which several of those involved in recent attacks were able to move through European borders from Syria to their homes in France and Belgium is evidence of a major failing of EU policy-making and policing. Structures, legislation and procedures to secure frontiers and share intelligence in the EU were barely adequate before the Syrian war. Now, they are clearly in need of dramatic overhaul. The ease with which several of those involved in recent attacks were able to move through European borders from Syria to their homes in France and Belgium is evidence of a major failing of EU policymaking and policing. Structures, legislation and procedures to secure frontiers and share intelligence in the EU were barely adequate before the Syrian war. Now, they are clearly in need of dramatic overhaul.
With Isis now committed to striking in Europe, including the UK, EU citizens certainly pose a potential threat to Britain.With Isis now committed to striking in Europe, including the UK, EU citizens certainly pose a potential threat to Britain.
But the last fatality in the UK from terrorist violence was fusilier Lee Rigby, hacked to death in 2013 in Woolwich with knives purchased from a local store by two converts raised in London and living a short drive away. Of the 300 arrested for terrorist offences in the year to March 2015, 78% considered themselves British or dual-British nationality. This week, in a fairly typical plot, two British men were convicted of planning drive by shootings in London. But the last death in the UK from terrorist violence was fusilier Lee Rigby, hacked to death in 2013 in Woolwich with knives purchased from a local store by two converts raised in London and living a short drive away. Of the 300 arrested for terrorist offences in the year to March 2015, 78% considered themselves British or dual-British nationality. This week, in a fairly typical plot, two British men were convicted of planning drive-by shootings in London.
As has historically been the case, the danger posed by EU citizens travelling to the UK is thus real, but a relatively minor one. As has historically been the case, the danger posed by EU citizens travelling to the UK is real, but relatively minor.
As elsewhere, though many attacks in the UK over the last 15 years have involved a link to a group or faction overseas, almost all have seen local people attacking local targets with locally-sourced means.As elsewhere, though many attacks in the UK over the last 15 years have involved a link to a group or faction overseas, almost all have seen local people attacking local targets with locally-sourced means.
The threat in the UK does not come primarily from Belgians, Germans or Spaniards but from Britons. It is difficult to see how having “greater control over immigration from the EU” will help the UK stop them.The threat in the UK does not come primarily from Belgians, Germans or Spaniards but from Britons. It is difficult to see how having “greater control over immigration from the EU” will help the UK stop them.