The definition of terrorism should not be changed in the wake of the Southport murders, Britain's terror watchdog has said.
Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation and Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, has warned that the legal definition of terrorism is "already wide" - while expanding it would "increase the possibility of inaccurate use and... abuse."
His review, commissioned by Yvette Cooper in January to examine Britain's terror legislation "in light of modern threats we face" also warns that extending terror liability could result in "unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression".
It also pours scorn over a "cover-up" in the wake of the Southport stabbings - the review says that allegations of said cover-up risked far more prejudice to any trial than undisputed facts about the attacker.
Axel Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for murdering three young girls, and the attempted murders of eight children, dance class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes last July.
Despite contact with counter-terror groups like Prevent, authorities failed to stop the attack.
But his violent stabbing spree was not considered terrorism under existing laws because there was no evidence that he attempted to "advance an ideological cause" - as set out in the terror definition.
Despite this, Hall has warned that broadening its definition would "risk major false positives" including "the prosecution of people who by no stretch of the imagination are terrorists".
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"People swapping violent war footage would be at risk of encouraging terrorism, resulting in unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression," he said.
Hall referenced the case of Nicholas Prosper, 19, who murdered his mother and two siblings and was on his way to carry out a mass shooting at his old primary school when he was stopped by police.
A loaded shotgun was found hidden in bushes nearby, with a bag of more than 30 cartridges, when officers spotted him on Bramingham Road, Luton.
But there is not a specific offence that he could be charged with for planning the school shooting - because his plot would not be defined as terrorism.
The watchdog has recommended creating an offence to "prevent mass casualty attacks" before they happen, similar to terrorism offences applying to an offender preparing for an attack.
"It has become clear to me during the preparation of this report during January and February 2025 that there is a real and not theoretical gap for lone individuals who plan mass killings," he said.
He has called on the Government to consider enshrining the following as a specific offence: "Where an individual with an intention of killing two or more people engages with any preparation to carry out that intention."
The maximum sentence, Hall says, should be life imprisonment.
Hall has also warned that "disinformation" in the aftermath of the Southport murders - and has called on police to do more to squash "cover-up" claims in future.
"In the digital era, if the police do not take the lead in providing clear, accurate and sober details about an attack like Southport, others will," he said.
"Social media is a source of news for many people and near silence in the face of horrific events of major public interest is no longer an option.
"Whether or not the Contempt of Court Act 1981 needs reform, the nature of prejudice in the digital age needs to be understood."
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Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation and Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, has warned that the legal definition of terrorism is "already wide" - while expanding it would "increase the possibility of inaccurate use and... abuse."
His review, commissioned by Yvette Cooper in January to examine Britain's terror legislation "in light of modern threats we face" also warns that extending terror liability could result in "unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression".
It also pours scorn over a "cover-up" in the wake of the Southport stabbings - the review says that allegations of said cover-up risked far more prejudice to any trial than undisputed facts about the attacker.
Axel Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years for murdering three young girls, and the attempted murders of eight children, dance class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes last July.
Despite contact with counter-terror groups like Prevent, authorities failed to stop the attack.
But his violent stabbing spree was not considered terrorism under existing laws because there was no evidence that he attempted to "advance an ideological cause" - as set out in the terror definition.
Despite this, Hall has warned that broadening its definition would "risk major false positives" including "the prosecution of people who by no stretch of the imagination are terrorists".
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"People swapping violent war footage would be at risk of encouraging terrorism, resulting in unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression," he said.
Hall referenced the case of Nicholas Prosper, 19, who murdered his mother and two siblings and was on his way to carry out a mass shooting at his old primary school when he was stopped by police.
A loaded shotgun was found hidden in bushes nearby, with a bag of more than 30 cartridges, when officers spotted him on Bramingham Road, Luton.
But there is not a specific offence that he could be charged with for planning the school shooting - because his plot would not be defined as terrorism.
The watchdog has recommended creating an offence to "prevent mass casualty attacks" before they happen, similar to terrorism offences applying to an offender preparing for an attack.
"It has become clear to me during the preparation of this report during January and February 2025 that there is a real and not theoretical gap for lone individuals who plan mass killings," he said.
He has called on the Government to consider enshrining the following as a specific offence: "Where an individual with an intention of killing two or more people engages with any preparation to carry out that intention."
The maximum sentence, Hall says, should be life imprisonment.
Hall has also warned that "disinformation" in the aftermath of the Southport murders - and has called on police to do more to squash "cover-up" claims in future.
"In the digital era, if the police do not take the lead in providing clear, accurate and sober details about an attack like Southport, others will," he said.
"Social media is a source of news for many people and near silence in the face of horrific events of major public interest is no longer an option.
"Whether or not the Contempt of Court Act 1981 needs reform, the nature of prejudice in the digital age needs to be understood."
Find Out More...