To counter Tory claims that ministers had taken “no effective action” to thwart terrorist movement, particularly into the UK , on October 10, the UK’s Home Secretary Charles Clarke announced plans to ban 15 foreign Islamist “terrorist organizations,” all with links to the al-Qaeda network, in the aftermath of the July 7 train bombings . The attacks were linked to Pakistan , which is the home base for many of the 15 groups proposed for inclusion. Clarke alluded to concerns that members of these groups may already be living in the UK, a fear that is certainly not unique to the UK, but none have official representation in-country. Notably, the ban does not include Hizb-ut Tahrir or al-Muhajiroun , both of which Tony Blair had pledged in August 2005 to ban; however, Clarke indicated that they could find themselves banned “within months.” Since the July 7 attacks and the subsequent failed July 21 attacks , the UK government has vowed to tighten up its terrorism laws. The ease of movement to and from the UK has been nominally embarrassing, highlighted by July 21 terrorism suspect Hussain Osman’s unobstructed departure from the UK.

The Terrorism Act of 2000 proscribes any organization that “is concerned in terrorism.” Clarke will now ask Parliament to “proscribe” these 15 additional groups under existing anti-terrorism legislation. He went on to say, “Proscription is an important power and not one to be used lightly.” Further, the revised list indicates “the need to maintain a vigorous approach to dealing with terrorists and their supporters?[and] we are not prepared to tolerate terrorism here or anywhere in the world.” Clarke’s new terrorism bill will also include provisions to expand inclusion from groups “concerned with terrorism” to groups providing “succor or support” for terrorism. This could include fundraisers; sympathizers or groups linked to, but not participating in, acts of terrorism, like Hizb-ut Tahrir, through the new offense of “glorifying” terrorism; and/or groups that change their name from what is listed in ban to evade proscription.