Law will change to stop attackers fixated on violence, says Home Secretary
She said: 'We have to make sure that the system is able to respond to violent fixated individuals. We will tighten that legislation so that that is taken as seriously as terrorism.'
Her commitment, first made in an interview with the BBC, would implement a recommendation from the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, who examined whether terror laws needed to be changed to deal with people such as Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana.
The review was prompted by revelations that Rudakubana had been referred to the counter-extremism Prevent programme, but his case had not been followed up as he lacked an ideological motivation.
He went on to murder three young girls and seriously wound 10 other people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last year and is currently serving a life sentence.
Mr Hall's review recommended against widening the definition of terrorism to include individuals such as Rudakubana, but suggested creating a new offence to deal with people who plan mass casualty attacks motivated by personal grievance or an obsession with violence for its own sake.
Ms Cooper said there was now a 'pattern' of teenagers being 'drawn into extreme violence and extreme ideologies' in their own bedrooms thanks to 'a really distorted and warped online world'.
She said: 'The sorts of things that we're now increasingly seeing online with violent fixated individuals, where there may not be a clear ideology, it may be a fixation with violence, or they may switch between different ideologies.'
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Who was Noel Stanton and how did the founder of the Jesus Army die?
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In the 1970s, this firebrand preacher convinced dozens of idealistic Christians to hand over their homes, possessions, and even their children to create what he claimed would be "heaven on Earth" in rural Northamptonshire. Stanton established the Jesus Fellowship Church – better known as the Jesus Army – which grew from a small congregation at Bugbrooke Baptist Church into a nationwide movement with thousands of followers. Read more on cults 'DEEPLY DECIEVED' Sex cult brainwashed me into being a 'bride' for a rapist The bearded, authoritarian leader demanded total obedience from his flock. Members lived in communal houses, surrendered their savings to the group, and followed his increasingly bizarre rules about everything from diet to relationships. His preaching became increasingly focused on sexual "purity," with shocking footage from a 1993 documentary showing him urging followers to give their "genitals to Jesus". This obsession with controlling members' sexuality would later become central to many abuse allegations. How did the Jesus Army founder die? Noel Stanton died on May 20, 2009, aged 82, after leading his controversial religious movement for nearly four decades. Despite building what appeared to be a thriving Christian community with its distinctive fleet of colourful Jesus Army buses and evangelistic street outreach, Stanton's final years were marked by increasing scrutiny of his leadership methods. Watch moment rape cult leader who told followers he was an alien called Great Shaman is arrested in Argentina By the time of his death, cracks were already appearing in the movement he'd created, though the full extent of the abuse within the Jesus Army wouldn't become public knowledge until years later. Stanton was buried at the fellowship's New Creation Farm in Nether Heyford, a sprawling community site that had been purchased with money donated by his followers. Inside the controversial cult While presenting itself as a legitimate Christian church, the Jesus Army operated with all the classic hallmarks of a cult. Members were encouraged to cut ties with family and friends outside the group. Those living in communal "community houses" had to follow strict rules about everything from clothing to personal relationships. The group's radical "kingdom theology" taught followers that Stanton had special authority from God. This created an environment where questioning the leader was seen as questioning God himself. Ex-members describe an atmosphere of intense control, with decisions about jobs, marriages and even what clothes to wear dictated by "elders" appointed by Stanton. The Jesus Army became known for its distinctive evangelism style, with members in brightly coloured jackets approaching strangers in town centres, offering hugs and inviting them to join community life. 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By November 2021, when the scheme closed, hundreds of former members had come forward with claims of serious abuse suffered during their time in the Jesus Army. Former members continue to speak out about their experiences, with many featured in the powerful new BBC documentary "Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army," which exposes the shocking truth behind what once appeared to be just an eccentric Christian group. The Jesus Fellowship Community Trust has acknowledged that "serious harm" was caused to many former members, particularly children, and has apologised for the "pain and suffering" experienced by those who lived under Stanton's leadership. What began as a dream of Christian community ended as a nightmare for hundreds of victims – a stark reminder of how easily religious devotion can be twisted into control and abuse when placed in the wrong hands.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
First Minister disappointed to not attend Belfast Pride this year
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BBC News
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A12 Colchester delays expected as lorry overturns
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