As of today the glorification of terrorism is officially an offence under the rules set in the 2005 Terrorism Bill, which was given Royal assent on March 30th of this year.The bill covers many ways of protecting against terrorist activity, but its most controversial aspect is the relative harshness with which statements interpreted as glorification are to be punished.
A summary conviction on this offence, which so far applies to published rather than spoken statements, could lead to a fine or twelve months imprisonment, while conviction on an indictment could lead to a much longer term of up to seven years.
This is only three years short of the sentence applied to those who give training in terrorist activities.
Critics say that defining precisely which comments might break the new law will prove difficult, and also that the Bill contains several defences that might be applied too easily. These are some of the reasons that many people perceive the new law to be an unnecessary incursion upon free speech. In February Sir Menzies Campbell was one of the high profile figures who noted that ‘the measure could threaten civil liberties.’ Other notable opposers of the bill include the popular free speech website netfreedom.org.
Other changes brought about in the Terrorism Bill include an increased 15 year maximum period for the possession of materials which could be used for terrorist purposes, and for offences committed using radioactive materials life sentences are now applicable.
●View a transcript of Charles Clarke's Terrorism Bill speech.
●View the completed bill at the official Parliamentary Publications site.
●Read Charles Clarke's rebuttal of The Independent's entry into the debate.
