Thread by @bricksilk

I welcome today's thorough report of the Coroner in the London Bridge/Borough Market inquest with its sensible recommendations across a variety of #CONTEST areas for actions that could prevent future deaths …ndonbridgeinquests.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/upl…. /1

They complement and supplement the 126 recommendations arrived at by MI5 and CT Policing, with my assistance, in the months immediately following the 2017 attacks: daqc.co.uk/2017/12/05/rep…. /2

The headline changes related to the exploitation of data (a huge topic); multi-agency engagement; and new roles for MI5 and JTAC in analysing and combating extreme right-wing terrorism. /3

Others related to triage, leads, prioritisation, information management, former subjects of interest, lone actors, extremist material, explosive precursors, vehicle hire, disruptive and port powers, prisons intelligence, PREVENT, research and innovation. /4

Together, they amounted to the most ambitious programme for operational CT reform for at least 12 years. I reported on their implementation in February 2019 (published in June gov.uk/government/pub…). /5

The Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament made further recommendations, and commented on progress made since 2017, in its own report of November 2018 docs.google.com/a/independent.…. /6

After four completed attacks in 2017, it is not hard to identify things that could have been done differently, and better. That is why these numerous recommendations were considered necessary by the security forces and others. /7

None of these reports will be any consolation to those who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks on Westminster Bridge, Manchester Arena, London Bridge/Borough Market and the Finsbury Park Mosque, or to those who still suffer from the physical or mental effects. /8

Nor can their numerous recommendations, even if fully implemented, guarantee that similar attacks will never recur. Such guarantees are simply not possible in a free society. /9

But if properly given effect, they will strengthen the hand of police and MI5, without compromising the sound legal and ethical framework within which they willingly work. /10

It is to the credit of our security services (if not to those responsible for the wilder predictions of the last decade) that fewer than 100 people have been killed by terrorism on British soil since in the 18 years since 9/11. /11

MI5 and CT Policing deserve the credit I gave them in February for their considerable and for the most part productive efforts in implementing the 2017 recommendations. /12

The Chief Coroner's recommendations, together with those that came before them, should strengthen the ability of our security forces to prevent or stop the great majority of terrorist attacks in Britain. /12A ends