Politics

London Bridge terror: Chuka Umunna slams Johnson’s ‘stupid political point-scoring’


In veiled digs at both party leaders, the Liberal Democrats’ spokesman on foreign affairs sought to distance his own group from the laws which saw jihadist Usman Khan released from prison early. Shortly after Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, were killed on November 29 the Prime Minister blamed “a lefty government” for the convicted terrorist being allowed to roam the streets of Britain and was accused of turning the tragedy into a political debate. Jeremy Corbyn on the other hand claimed the UK’s military interventions had “exacerbated rather than resolved” homegrown terrorism. 

Speaking at an election hustings at a Jewish centre in North London, Mr Umunna hit out at the language used by politicians after the attack. 

Mr Umunna said: “There’s been some stupid political point-scoring over this issue and how this young guy Khan ended up doing what he did. 

“Of course he was convicted under a regime that the coalition government inherited from the Labour government, he was released on early release under a Conservative government but this happened under governments of different political persuasion. 

“Clearly the system was broken here.” 

He added: “The leader of the opposition has suggested that somehow UK foreign policy is responsible for the terrorism and fundamentalism that we see while ignoring the fact that 9/11 happened before the Iraq war.” 

But Labour’s Naz Shah, a Corbyn ally, hit back at Mr Umunna, saying the Labour leader had claimed the UK’s military action abroad was “one factor” to blame for the rise of radicalisation. 

The pair were joined by communities secretary Robert Jenrick at the hustings last Wednesday. 

READ MORE: ‘You’re AGAINST this country!’ Corbyn skewered over terrorist support

“The Prime Minister has been very clear that we’re going to look carefully at how we tackle those individuals who are sentenced for a serious offence like terrorism and then let out on early release. 

“But there’s a broader question I think for this audience and the Jewish community about what do you expect of a Government to try to keep you safe and to respect you and ensure that you can go about your daily lives as British citizens free from fear and concern for your safety.” 

Mr Jenkins, who was raised as a Christian, is married to a Jewish woman and has three children. 

He said he finds it “extraordinary” every Sunday when he takes his young family to a Jewish centre and he is met by security guards donning stab-proof vests at the doors. 

Mr Corbyn has said convicted terrorists should “not necessarily” have to serve their full prison sentence. 

Khan had previously been convicted and put behind bars but was let out of jail wearing an electronic tag. 



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