Braverman orders review of terrorism and extremism laws after police call for clarity over language used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations 

• Home Office to consider if new criminal offences are needed for hate speech 

Suella Braverman has ordered a review of terrorism and extremism laws after police called for clarity over language used at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The Home Office will consider whether new criminal offences are needed to bridge the gap between countering hate speech and terrorism, the Mail understands.

It came after Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley renewed his calls for a fresh look at the legal definition of extremism and how police should respond.

However, any tweaks to the law will not provide a short-term solution to the febrile atmosphere in the wake of Hamas’s terror attack and Israel’s ongoing retaliatio

The review is likely to take months and any proposed legal changes would be unlikely to be brought in by the end of next year.n.

The Home Office will consider whether new criminal offences are needed to bridge the gap between countering hate speech and terrorism. Pictured, Home Secretary Suella Braverman

Pictured, a man wearing all black waves a Shahada flag in Whitehall during huge pro-Palestine protests

It is understood the review will examine remarks by the Government’s independent reviewer of counter-terrorism legislation who said last week there could be scope for a new offence of supporting terrorism ‘by implication’. 

Jonathan Hall KC referred to protesters waving the black and white Shahada emblem, which represents the religion of Islam.

‘You might say that flag – although it has legitimate religious uses – is, in the streets, really saying by implication ‘Let’s have terrorism’,’ he said last week. He suggested a similar offence could be drawn up for the use of the word ‘jihad’.

The Mail understands Mr Hall’s suggestions will be given close consideration by the review. Up to 100,000 people took to the streets of London for the third week running in a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday.

Jonathan Hall KC (pictured) said last week there could be scope for a new offence of supporting terrorism ‘by implication

Leaflets were handed out hailing the ‘extraordinary heroism’ of Hamas, and marchers called for an uprising – chanting ‘from London to Gaza, we’ll have an intifada’.

The Met said nine arrests were made on the day, including two made after reports of chants of an Arabic phrase which translates as ‘Khaybar Khaybar, O Jews the army of Mohammed is coming’ – seen as a battle cry to kill the Jews. 

Sir Mark said yesterday police were limited by legal definitions of extremism and arresting people without cause could ‘inflame’ the situation. ‘There is scope to be much sharper in how we deal with extremism within this country,’ he told Sky News.

A Cobra meeting is expected to take place today for ministers to look at domestic security arrangements in the wake of three weekends of protests and rising incidents of anti-Semitism.

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