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Government complacent over TPims - Pat McFadden Labour questions TPims' effectiveness as terror suspect absconds
(about 3 hours later)
A Labour MP has accused the government of complacency and putting the public "at greater risk" by changing the way some terror suspects are monitored. The government has "important questions" to answer over how a terror suspect absconded while under an anti-terror control measure, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said.
Pat McFadden's comments come as police continue to search for Ibrahim Magag, believed to have absconded from his TPim control measure on Boxing Day. Police are continuing to search for Ibrahim Magag, who disappeared from Camden, north London on Boxing Day.
TPims replaced control orders in January 2012. He was previously subject to a control order but they were replaced by TPim control measures last January.
But the Home Office said Mr Magag's disappearance had "nothing to do" with the switch. His disappearance had "nothing to do" with the switch, the Home Office said.
Detectives appealed for help on Monday in finding Mr Magag, who failed to meet his overnight residence condition on Boxing Day. Detectives appealed for help on Monday in finding Mr Magag, who failed to meet his overnight residence conditions on the 26th December.
The 28-year-old, of Somali origin, was last seen in the Camden area at 17:20 GMT on that day. Mr Magag, 28, of Somali origin, was last seen in Camden at 17:20 GMT on Boxing Day.
'Watered-down' Return to London
TPims - or Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures - restrict the movements of people thought to pose a risk to the public, but who cannot be tried for reasons of national security or deported. TPims - or Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures - restrict the movements of people thought to pose a risk to the public, but who cannot be tried for reasons of national security or who cannot be deported.
Those subject to them can be restricted in areas such as where they stay, who they contact, and where they travel. Those who are subject to such orders can face restrictions, such as where they stay, who they contact, and where they travel, but they are not forcibly relocated.
Mr McFadden described TPims as "watered-down control orders" which grant "more freedoms" to terror suspects. The identity of people under TPims are usually kept secret, but an anonymity order imposed on Mr Magag was lifted following a request by the police.
He told the BBC Radio Four's World at One: "I think what they have done is complacent and dangerous and I warned the home secretary and the prime minster about this when the legislation was going through. In a statement, Ms Cooper questioned whether allowing Mr Magag to return to London under a TPim contributed to his absconding.
"What they have done is put the public at greater risk... and put needless extra pressure on the security services who are charged with monitoring these suspects and trying to keep them under surveillance." "Ibrahim Magag was previously on a control order and relocated to the West Country - a decision upheld by the courts.
Mr McFadden said Mr Magag had moved back to London under his TPim when previously he was banned from the city under his control order. TPim notices do not forcibly relocate people, when control orders could. "The home secretary took the decision against the advice of security experts to replace control orders with TPims, removing the power to relocate terror suspects and reducing restrictions.
He added: "The government chose to disarm itself from the powers to relocate suspects... he [Magag] has used his new-found government-given freedom to come back to London and has now absconded." "Theresa May needs to explain rapidly why surveillance failed on Ibrahim Magag since Christmas and whether her decision to return him to London and to weaken legislation has made it easier for him to abscond and harder for the police to find him now," she said.
The coalition TPim replaced Labour's control order system a year ago. Control orders placed terror suspects under close supervision which critics described as similar to house arrest. Labour MP Pat McFadden also accused the coalition of putting the public "at risk" by abolishing control orders.
Speaking to BBC Radio Four's World at One, described TPims as "watered-down control orders" which grant "more freedoms" to terror suspects.
"I think what they have done is complacent and dangerous and I warned the home secretary and the prime minster about this when the legislation was going through."
Control orders introduced under Labour placed terror suspects under close supervision which critics described as similar to house arrest.
Ten people in the UK are currently subject to a TPim notice, according to the Home Office.Ten people in the UK are currently subject to a TPim notice, according to the Home Office.
'Pretty oppressive''Pretty oppressive'
Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said Home Secretary Theresa May had questions to answer. A spokesperson for the Home Office said Mr Magag's disappearance was "the first time somebody subject to a TPim has absconded".
In a statement she added: "The Home Secretary took the decision against the advice of security experts to replace control orders with TPims, removing the power to relocate terror suspects and reducing restrictions.
"Theresa May needs to explain rapidly why surveillance failed on Ibrahim Magag since Christmas and whether her decision to return him to London and to weaken legislation has made it easier for him to abscond and harder for the police to find him now."
A spokesperson for the Home Office said Magag's disappearance was "the first time somebody subject to a TPim has absconded".
They added: "In the six years of control orders, there were seven absconds, and in six of those cases the individual was never found in the UK.They added: "In the six years of control orders, there were seven absconds, and in six of those cases the individual was never found in the UK.
"The TPim regime provides effective powers for dealing with those who are engaged in terrorism-related activity but who we cannot yet prosecute or deport."The TPim regime provides effective powers for dealing with those who are engaged in terrorism-related activity but who we cannot yet prosecute or deport.
"By providing extra funding to the security services and Metropolitan Police we are maximising the opportunities to put these individuals on trial in open court.""By providing extra funding to the security services and Metropolitan Police we are maximising the opportunities to put these individuals on trial in open court."
David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told the BBC he agreed the replacement measures were "watered down", but nevertheless were "still pretty oppressive".David Anderson QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told the BBC he agreed the replacement measures were "watered down", but nevertheless were "still pretty oppressive".
He added that the end of relocation powers had been balanced by increased resources for surveillance, and TPims were limited to two years as opposed to the indefinite length of control orders. He added the end of relocation powers had been balanced by increased resources for surveillance, and TPims were limited to two years as opposed to the indefinite length of control orders.
Writing on Twitter earlier, Mr Anderson questioned whether Mr Magag would have been able to abscond as easily from south-west England, where he was held under his control order from 2009 until 2011.Writing on Twitter earlier, Mr Anderson questioned whether Mr Magag would have been able to abscond as easily from south-west England, where he was held under his control order from 2009 until 2011.
But he added no anti-terror measure "of this kind" is "foolproof". He highlighted that the UK does not imprison British citizens who have "not been charged or convicted of a criminal offence".But he added no anti-terror measure "of this kind" is "foolproof". He highlighted that the UK does not imprison British citizens who have "not been charged or convicted of a criminal offence".
The identity of people under TPims are usually kept secret, but an anonymity order imposed on Mr Magag was lifted following a request by the police.
Ministers say they do not believe his disappearance is linked to any terrorism planning in the UK, and his TPim was intended to prevent fundraising and overseas travel.Ministers say they do not believe his disappearance is linked to any terrorism planning in the UK, and his TPim was intended to prevent fundraising and overseas travel.