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Britain ‘needs anti-subversion laws to save democracy from itself'

Britain ‘needs anti-subversion laws to save democracy from itself'

Times19-05-2025
Britain may need anti-subversion laws to 'save democracy' and counter the increased threat from states determined to undermine it, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation will warn.
Jonathan Hall KC says that new legislation is among measures that might be needed to combat those who exploited the 'freedom and openness' of the UK, using it to sow division.
Counter-subversion was part of MI5's role in the 1950s and 1970s but fell out of favour when it was associated with McCarthyism and infiltrations of domestic protest groups by undercover police.
In a speech due to be delivered on May 19 to the Policy Exchange think tank, Hall will say that the issue is regaining significance once again because of efforts by hostile states to subvert
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