UK watchdog rejects calls to redefine terrorism

13/3/2025 12:21

Britain should not redefine terrorism in the wake of last summer's murders at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event but the government should consider a new law to tackle those bent on mass killings, the UK's terrorism watchdog said.



Axel Radukabana stabbed to death three young girls and wounded 10 others last July in the northern English town of Southport, an act of violence Prime Minister Keir Starmer called one of the most harrowing moments in Britain's history.



However, his crime was not classed as terrorism as there was no evidence that he was inspired by any particular political or religious ideology, a necessary requirement, something which drew criticism from government opponents as he was also convicted of possessing the deadly poison ricin and an al Qaeda training manual.



After Radukabana's jailing, Starmer himself said terrorism had changed, with some individuals fixated on extreme violence, seemingly for its own sake, and police and security services have warned of a growth in the number of would-be terrorists whose motivation was hard to determine.



Classing an action as terrorism allows the authorities to use extra powers and gives judges the ability to impose harsher sentences.