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Johnson Vows Still Harsher Punishment for Convicted Terrorists

Johnson Vows Still Harsher Punishment for Convicted Terrorists

(Bloomberg) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed still tougher punishments for convicted terrorists after Sunday’s stabbing attack in south London, which unfolded just two months after two stabbing deaths near the city’s financial district.

“Tomorrow, we will announce further plans for fundamental changes to the system for dealing with those convicted of terrorism offences,” Johnson said in a statement on Sunday.

He said his new government had already proposed tougher sentences and to end early release for terror suspects. He said on Sunday those measures would “strengthen every element of our response to terrorism – including longer prison sentences and more money for the police.”

Johnson Vows Still Harsher Punishment for Convicted Terrorists

He did not hint at how much further he might go after Sunday’s attack in Streatham.

An attacker wearing what the Metropolitan Police said was a “hoax” explosive device stabbed two people, leaving one in “life-threatening” condition. A third person was injured, apparently by glass that shattered after police gunfire.

Police killed the suspect, who the Guardian reported had been under police surveillance. The same newspaper said he’d been recently released from prison after being jailed in December 2018 for possession and distribution of extremist material. The police called Sunday’s incident “Islamist-related.”

Johnson has often called for tougher treatment of terror suspects and promised a plan during the election campaign to make sure “terrorists serve every day of their sentence, no exceptions.”

The attacker at Fishmonger’s Hall near London Bridge, Usman Khan, 28, had been released in December 2018 after serving half of a 16-year sentence. He was shot and killed by the police. Eight people died in another attack there in 2017.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ian Fisher in New York at ifisher10@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Ludden at jludden@bloomberg.net

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