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‘What? Is this a joke?’ UK govt suffer online backlash after saying terrorists will face lie detector tests under new plans Lie-detector tests for terrorists? New UK govt plan sparks backlash online
(about 4 hours later)
New legislation that will include terrorists having to undertake lie detector tests has provoked anger on social media with accusations the government isn't taking the issue seriously. New legislation that would see terrorists taking lie-detector tests has sparked anger and disbelief online, with many pointing out that the technology is far from foolproof and accusing the government of being soft on crime.
The new measures which will be published by the Home Secretary Priti Patel in a new bill over the next two months, and also include a 14-year jail term for convicted terrorists, come in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack last November that left two people dead.
 The ‘polygraph testing’ on offenders could be used on terrorists once they have been released, as part of a whole range of monitoring procedures. Lie detector tests have been used on sex offenders by UK police since 2007. The results are not admissible as evidence in court, but can be used as a reason to bring forward further investigations.
The inclusion of lie detector testing in an attempt to “toughen up” UK counter-terror laws has prompted outrage online with many people suggesting PM Boris Johnson’s administration are being weak on terrorists.
TV presenter Piers Morgan no stranger to voicing his views on controversial subjects was seemingly unimpressed with the prospect of polygraph testing terrorists, tweeting“What? Is this a joke?” Others sarcastically suggested that the worst terrorists should be made to write 100 lines: “I promise not to be bad again.” The proposed polygraph testing is part of a slew of new measures drawn up by PM Boris Johnson’s government in the wake of the London Bridge terror attack last November which left two people dead.
There were also many critics insisting that lie detectors don’t work, pointing out that they’re currently not used as evidence in UK courts for a reason. Humorous gifs were also used to illustrate people’s frustrations. Yet, the idea of ‘toughening up’ Britain’s counter-terror laws by polygraphing convicted terrorists to prove they no longer pose a threat to society after their release isn’t sitting well with many in Britain.
The new law is meant to prevent any repeat of the deadly stabbings at Fishmongers Hall in London Bridge, that saw Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, murdered by jihadist Usman Khan, who had previously been released half-way through his jail sentence. Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan, never shy of airing his views on controversial matters, seemed to be unimpressed with the idea, tweeting: “What? Is this a joke?” 
Others sarcastically suggested that terrorists should be made to write out lines like naughty school children: “I promise not to be bad again.” Some said the plan might also boost the career of TV presenter Jeremy Kyle, known for offering polygraphs to guests on his tabloid talk show.
Many on Twitter also pointed out that lie-detector tests are not always the most reliable means of deciphering the truth — which is the very reason they are not used as evidence in court. “Perhaps they could get them to pinky swear instead,” suggested another incredulous Twitter user.
UK police have used lie-detector testing on sex offenders since 2007 — and while the results of the tests are not admissible in court, they can be used to bring new investigations.
It’s not the first time the British government has faced public backlash for its odd crime-fighting methods. The government was ridiculed last year after putting anti-stabbing messages on boxes of fried chicken in several takeaway restaurant chains across the country. The chicken-box warnings were intended to teach young fried chicken fans about the “tragic consequences of carrying a knife.”
The latest anti-terror measures also envision a 14-year jail sentence for people convicted of planning acts of terrorism and would see early-release scrapped for those considered dangerous.
The new measures are intended to prevent a repeat of the London Bridge attack perpetrated by Usman Khan, who was out of prison on licence and had travelled to London to supposedly attend a “rehabilitation event” when he went on his killing spree.
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