Less than two weeks from British national elections, a London terror attack that killed two Nov. 29 puts the focus on voters exactly where it was June 23, 2016 when British citizens voted to leave the European Union [EU]. Three-and-a-half years ago, British voters were concerned about EU pressure to take more Mideast and North African immigrants, responsible for recent terrorist attacks in London and other British cities. Yesterday’s knife-attack by 28-year-old formerly convicted terrorist Usman Khan underscores problems in British law enforcement dealing with terrorism. While Khan was shot dead by Scotland Yard fearing he wore a suicide vest, he was previously tried, convicted and jailed in 2012 for terrorism, only to get released in Dec. 2018 after a stint in rehabilitation. Khan was apparently wearing an electronic ankle bracelet at the time of his rampage Nov. 29.
Britiain’s parole board claimed Khan was not released on “good behavior,” but was part of an automatic release program. Khan “appears to have been released automatically on license [as required by law] without ever being referred to the board,” showing, the British system, makes no provisions for terrorists or violent criminals. Neil Bassu, of the Metropolitan Police, said Khan’s release was automatic, not part of some parole review board that looks into special circumstances for specific inmates. If it were in the United States, it’s likely Khan would have been eligible for parole but not released due to special circumstances, namely, terrorist activities. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS], claimed responsibility for the attack, despite it leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed by U.S. Special Forces Oct. 26, 2019. No British agency was tasked, like in the U.S., to review whether Khan posed a risk to society.
Britain’s former head of National Terrorism Security Office Chris Phillips said it’s unrealistic to keep British citizens safe when lone-wolf terrorists like Khan get released without proper review. “We’re playing Russian roulette with people’s lives, letting convicted, known, radicalized jihadi criminals walk about our streets,” Phillips said. Phillips words resonate with most British citizens faced with a big choice between Tory and Labour Parties when they go to the polls Dec. 13. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, whose pro-Palestinian stands leave him accused of anti-Semitism, looks softer on terrorism two weeks before the election. With polls bouncing around but showing the Tory Party with a 5% to 10% lead, the last thing Labour needed was a terror attack two weeks before the vote. Corbyn tried to condemn the system but voters know he holds sympathies to Mideast groups.
Corbyn said British authorities need to have a better grip on whom they release from prison. “ We have to ensure that the public is safe,” said Corbyn. “That means supervision of prisoners in prison but it also means supervision of ex-prisoners when they are released ahead of completion of their sentences, to have tough supervision on them to make sure this kin of danger is not played out on the public in the future,” Corbyn said. When voters approved Brexit in 2016, they sent a strong message to former Prime Minister Theresa May that they wanted more safety on British streets. With ISIS claiming responsibility for yesterday’s attack, it reminds voters why they wanted out of the EU. EU officials have practically destroyed the union over liberal immigration policies, not working in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, all not accepting Mideast and North African immigrants.
One of the victims of Khan’s attack Cambridge University graduate Jack Merritt helped organize a prison education program, ironically at the hall where the fatal attack took place. Khan’s attack reminds Brits that they’re dangerously close to terrorism, with most Mideast and North African immigrants without state supervision. Khan’s prior conviction for planning a terrorist attack on London’s parliament, No. 10 Downing Street or other targets, completed his rampage after getting out of prison. Rehab programs, in prison or out, don’t guarantee safety to ordinary British citizens. Voters will think twice about voting for Corbyn, knowing his openly public sympathies toward Palestinians and other Mideast groups. Corbyn saves his ire for Israel, who’s confronted daily with terror attacks from Palestinians claiming it’s their right to murder Israelis because of Israel occupying Palestinian territory.
Yesterday’s terror attack could help Johnson get over the hump by Election Day. Voters were reminded why they opted out of the EU when they were pressured to take more Mideast and North African immigrants. Whatever sympathies Corbyn has toward Palestinians and other Mideast groups, he’s about to find out what happens when British citizens die at the hands of Mideast-inspired terrorists. Dealing with what looks like lax early release laws, British authorities should follow the parole model in the U.S. where terrorists must prove rehabilitation before released on the streets. British officials downgraded the terrorist threat from “Severe” to “Substantial,” showing that lone-wolf attacks are always looming. British voters won’t forget what happened Nov. 29 when they go to the polls Dec. 12. Corbyn’s sympathies toward Palestinians and Mideast groups could come back to bite him.
