A CHANGE IN RESPONSE
The 2017 attacks
183. There has been a notable change in approach to Extreme Right-Wing Terrorism (ERWT) over the past five years—the proscription of National Action and the murder of Jo Cox MP in 2016 marked a change in the understanding of the threat. Then, in 2017, the United Kingdom suffered five serious terrorist attacks: at Westminster Bridge, Manchester Arena, London Bridge, Finsbury Park and Parsons Green, with 36 people killed and over 200 injured.
The Finsbury Park attack[1]
- On 19 June 2017, Darren Osborne drove a van into a group of men who were providing medical assistance to a man who had collapsed in the street outside an Islamic centre in Finsbury Park. One man was killed and ten people were injured.
- The post-attack investigation indicated that Osborne acted alone (and this was confirmed by Osborne himself during his interview with the police: "I'm flying solo, mate"). A hand-written note found in his vehicle, believed to have been written in the 48 hours before the event, provided evidence of an extremist mindset and hostility towards the Muslim community.
- Osborne had an extensive criminal history dating back to 1984, including 33 convictions for 102 offences ranging from assault to drugs and theft.
- Osborne had not been investigated by MI5 or Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) prior to launching his attack and was not known to be a member of, or have links to, any Right-Wing Extremist groups.
On 2 February 2018, Osborne was found guilty of murder and attempted murder with a terrorism connection and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 43 years.
Internal reviews and Lord Anderson's report
184. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, MI5 and CTP launched a number of internal reviews in order to:
- identify what was known about the attackers and co-conspirators prior to each attack;
- review assessments, actions and decisions made prior to each attack in relation to intelligence held on the attackers and co-conspirators;
- identify and review contextual information that may have had a bearing on actions and decisions made; and
- identify learning points arising out of each case.[2]
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