Labour reveals huge plan to deport foreigners celebrating terror attacks

Foreign nationals who support terror groups, spout hatred or celebrate atrocities could be deported, Shabana Mahmood revealed.

The Home Secretary hinted she could announce a crackdown on overseas arrivals holding extremist views.

And Ms Mahmood accused some pro-Palestine protesters of not wanting peace in the Middle East.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, during an emergency statement on the Manchester terror atrocity, asked Ms Mahmood: "Will the Home Secretary commit today to using her powers under the 1971 Immigration Act to remove from this country any foreign national who expresses extremist views or sympathy for political violence or terrorism, or anti-Semitism or any other form of religious hatred, whether or not the criminal threshold is met?"

Mr Philp added: "She could make that commitment now and will she show she is serious about fighting extremism by doing so?"

Ms Mahmood responded: "He will see that there have been many hundreds of arrests and as long as people continue to show support for a proscribed organisation, they will face the full force of the law.

"On immigration powers, let me say, I'm considering all immigration issues. He will know that for foreign offenders who have both committed a crime and been found guilty in this country, this Government has increased deportations of foreign offenders, quite significantly.

"I note his points on the wider powers of the 1971 Immigration Act, which I am reviewing and I will say more to the House."

The 1971 Immigration Act allows foreign nationals to be deported if they are not "conducive to the public good".

And Ms Mahmood blasted pro-Palestine protesters for marching following the terror atrocity in Manchester, telling MPs: "The protests have continued before the peace agreement and after the peace agreement in the Middle East.

"I think we can conclude that not all of those protesting truly wish to see peace in the Middle East.

"We are very clear that whilst the right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country, enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and often the cause of grave offence to other people who live within this country, it does have to be balanced against the right for all people to be able to live in safety."

The Home Secretary revealed counter-terrorism police and MI5 have foiled more than 40 terror plots since 2017.

Ms Mahmood revealed: "This work has saved countless lives.

"The reality is we now face a domestic terrorist threat in this country that is more complex, less predictable, and harder to detect than ever before.

"That threat will never be defeated unless we address the hate that fuels it.

"That means acting on the rising tide of antisemitism in this country."

Manchester terror attacker Jihad Al-Shamie called 999 and pledged allegiance to Islamic State during his knife rampage outside the Heaton Park Synagogue on Yom Kippur.

Two heroes Melvin Cravitz, 66, and Adrian Daulby, 53, died in the attack as they tried to stop the Islamist.

Security guard Mr Daulby suffered fatal gunshot wounds fired by police at Al-Shamie as he stood behind the front door of the synagogue with others.

Mr Cravitz was among a group of people who tried to prevent Al-Shamie from storming the synagogue.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Shabana Mahmood said: "Tragically, initial findings now indicate that Adrian Daulby sustained a gunshot wound during the armed police response.

"As is standard in such cases, an investigation is being carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the IOPC.

"But there are two things I can say. Firstly, it is important to note that the IOPC has confirmed the officers involved in the response are being treated as witnesses.

"Secondly, it must be remembered that the police acted in a situation where they believed a terrorist was likely to detonate an explosive device.

"The necessary processes must now take their course, and I expect the IOPC to complete them as quickly as possible.

"There is no ambiguity around who is responsible for the deaths and injuries that took place on that day."

Outlining what was known about the Islamist terrorist, Al-Shamie, Ms Mahmood confirmed he was not on the security service's radar.

She added: "He had, however, recently been arrested on rape charges, for which he was on bail at the time of the attack.

"Investigators believe the attacker was influenced by extreme Islamist ideology evident in a 999 call he made, during the incident, in which he pledged allegiance to Islamic State.

"Six people were arrested following the attack and were released without charge.

"One was subsequently re-arrested and has been bailed."

The Home Secretary insisted ministers will not "shy away" from tackling Islamist extremism.

Shabana Mahmood told MPs: "I commit myself and the Government to doing everything in our power to stand up to this particular threat without fear or favour, to destroy it for good.

"I would note for this house that the first people that Islamists often suppress, hurt and damage are their fellow Muslims as well.

"It is in everyone's interests to fight Islamist extremism wherever it is found."