The government’s proposed anti-terrorism laws published yesterday are so widely drawn that anyone who “glorifies, exalts or celebrates” any terrorist act committed over the past 20 years could face a sentence of up to five years in prison. But the small print of the draft terrorism bill published yesterday shows that the home secretary is preparing to go even further and draw up a list of historical terrorist acts which if “glorified” could mean a criminal offence being committed.
A Home Office spokeswoman said 9/11 was such an example; it would become a “listed event”, the appropriate ban lasting longer than 20 years. However, the 1916 Irish Easter Rising would be exempt. Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, said the offence of “glorification” was so broad it meant the home secretary was now acquiring powers to determine which historical figures were terrorists and which freedom fighters.