Extremists pushing agenda through gaps in UK laws

Mark Rowley has warned that extremists are exploiting gaps in existing laws to push their agenda, such as peddling antisemitic coronavirus conspiracy theories.

The former counter-terror chief's warning coincides with the launch of a major review of current legislation, which Rowley will lead. It will examine whether existing legislation adequately deals with 'hateful extremism'.

Rowley, who was appointed by the head of the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE), Sara Khan, said he believed the UK had a strong counter-terrorism system in place but the country is less ready to address growing threats from hateful extremists who encourage community tensions.

The CCE has cited a recent rise in antisemitic posts and conspiracy theories linking coronavirus to the Jewish community as 'hateful extremism'. The CCE’s first major report found far-right activists were exploiting community tensions by swooping into towns and cities and distorting the truth in an effort to turn residents against minorities, particularly Muslims.

Rowley said: “Extremism, hate crime and terrorism have all been increasing challenges for our communities and society as a whole. While I was in post as head of counter-terrorism policing for four years, I knew that we had a strong counter-terrorism system, resources and laws in place.

“However, I increasingly realised that nationally we are less experienced and ready to address the growing threats from hateful extremists who encourage community tensions, the rise in hate crime and some to even become terrorists. I am convinced that the commission’s clarity of focus on ‘hateful extremism’ can help identify the gaps that exist at the boundaries of current laws, such as hate crime and terrorism, which are being exploited daily by extremists.”