TERROR HOMES MAY BE SEIZED
TERROR HOMES MAY BE SEIZED
TERRORISTS could see their homes or other assets seized as part of the anti-terror crackdown to be unveiled this week, it emerged last night.
Downing Street disclosed that the anti-terror package drawn up in the wake of the Omagh bombing will contain powers to seize the assets of people convicted of being a member of a proscribed organisation. A No 10 spokesman said: "If someone is convicted of membership of these organisations and it has been proved that they have used their car or their house in terrorist activities. They can be seized."
He also confirmed that the package, to go before an emergency session of Parliament tomorrow and Thursday, will be called the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill.
MPs will get their first sight of the details of the package when a draft version of the Bill is released today.
But, Downing Street has already made clear that the Bill will come with a schedule specifying the organisations concerned, namely the Real IRA, the Continuity IRA, INLA and the LVF.
The Bill will also contain a provision making it an offence in British law to conspire to commit, an offence in another country.
The move is understood to be designed to curb foreign terrorists operating from London. But Downing Street made clear that the any prosecution under that new provision would first have to have the consent of the Attorney-General.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has already written to all Labour backbenchers explaining why their summer break was being interrupted, but Downing Street insisted the letter was not a bid to quell rebellion within the party.
Former shadow secretary for Northern Ireland Kevin McNamara is planning to lead a group of Labour backbenchers opposed to the Bill.
Part of the new package is designed to make it easier for the authorities to secure a conviction for . membership of a proscribed organisation.
But Downing Street earlier insisted it was not creating blanket new powers and hailed the Bill as a "measured package" targeted at "a very small group of extremists".
No 10 also played down reports that the plans would get a rough ride from some backbench Labour MPs in the Commons tomorrow.
TERRORISTS could see their homes or other assets seized as part of the anti-terror crackdown to be unveiled this week, it emerged last night.
Downing Street disclosed that the anti-terror package drawn up in the wake of the Omagh bombing will contain powers to seize the assets of people convicted of being a member of a proscribed organisation. A No 10 spokesman said: "If someone is convicted of membership of these organisations and it has been proved that they have used their car or their house in terrorist activities. They can be seized."
He also confirmed that the package, to go before an emergency session of Parliament tomorrow and Thursday, will be called the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill.
MPs will get their first sight of the details of the package when a draft version of the Bill is released today.
But, Downing Street has already made clear that the Bill will come with a schedule specifying the organisations concerned, namely the Real IRA, the Continuity IRA, INLA and the LVF.
The Bill will also contain a provision making it an offence in British law to conspire to commit, an offence in another country.
The move is understood to be designed to curb foreign terrorists operating from London. But Downing Street made clear that the any prosecution under that new provision would first have to have the consent of the Attorney-General.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has already written to all Labour backbenchers explaining why their summer break was being interrupted, but Downing Street insisted the letter was not a bid to quell rebellion within the party.
Former shadow secretary for Northern Ireland Kevin McNamara is planning to lead a group of Labour backbenchers opposed to the Bill.
Part of the new package is designed to make it easier for the authorities to secure a conviction for . membership of a proscribed organisation.
But Downing Street earlier insisted it was not creating blanket new powers and hailed the Bill as a "measured package" targeted at "a very small group of extremists".
No 10 also played down reports that the plans would get a rough ride from some backbench Labour MPs in the Commons tomorrow.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/244
Published Date: 01-Sep-98
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