The Home Secretary Theresa May has said the attacks in Paris, “have nothing to do with Islam”. She said Islam was peaceful, whilst explaining that “appropriate security measures” will need to be taken at the England France football match tomorrow.
The Home Secretary was giving a speech to the House of Commons, just three days after eight terrorists, taking orders from the Islam State, murdered 129 people in Paris whilst screaming “Allah-hu Akbar”. Her closing words were:
“British Muslims and indeed Muslims worldwide have said very clearly these events are abhorrent.
“The attacks have nothing to do with Islam which is followed peacefully by millions of people around the world.
“The terrorists seek to divide us and to destroy our way of life but theirs is an empty, perverted and murderous ideology.
“They represent no one and they will fail.
“France grieves but she does not grieve alone. People of all faiths, of all nationalities and all backgrounds are with you. And together we will defeat them.”
The Home Secretary confirmed funding will be provided for an extra 1,900 officers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to “better respond to the threats we face from global terrorism”.
She also described the government’s new Investigatory Powers Bill—which has been described by opponents as the ‘snooper’s charter’—as a piece of “landmark legislation”, adding: “The police and intelligence and security agencies do an incredible job to keep this country safe”.
It has now been confirmed that armed police will be present at the England France game at Wembley stadium tomorrow. The France Germany game at the Stade De France was targeted during the Paris attacks on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “This match will obviously be a more sombre event than usual as we all reflect the senseless loss of life that Paris suffered.
“However, we want everyone coming along to the match to know that our officers will be out there in increased numbers, to keep them safe. This will include extra, highly visible, armed officers who will be patrolling around Wembley Stadium.”
However, just four days ago, Mrs. May said that police forces could be stripped of their individual firearms units.
“I’m meeting with chief constables and police and crime commissioners to consider how complex and specialist capabilities like firearms and cyber units can be delivered between forces or in regional organised crime units,” she said, adding: “It does not make sense that everybody should duplicate efforts when we could be working together.
“It’s more than just sharing that resource, it’s about making sure the resource is set at the right level and also having greater flexibility in police workforce.”
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