:00:00. > :00:08.Colleagues, and all of thosd observing our proceedings, thank you
:00:09. > :00:18.for that display of respect. Order. Urgent question, Mr Stephen Dowty.
:00:19. > :00:21.Will be Home Secretary make a statement on the terrorism threat
:00:22. > :00:30.and the security measures in the UK in light of the horrible attacks in
:00:31. > :00:33.Orlando? The attacks in Orl`ndo on Saturday night were utterly evil and
:00:34. > :00:39.the Government condemns thel completely. At least 49 people were
:00:40. > :00:43.murdered and a further 53 pdople injured. These people were dnjoying
:00:44. > :00:48.a night out when the attacks took place. Our hearts go out to them,
:00:49. > :00:53.their families and friends. This is the deadliest mass shooting in US
:00:54. > :00:58.history. It was an outrage committed to spread fear and borne out of
:00:59. > :01:04.hatred. As President Obama has said, the US authorities are treating it
:01:05. > :01:09.as a terrorist attack and D`esh have claimed responsibility. Such an
:01:10. > :01:15.attack has its roots in a twisted ideology which counts homophobia as
:01:16. > :01:20.a cornerstone. It was not jtst an act of terror but an act of
:01:21. > :01:25.homophobic hatred and I want to make clear to all LGBT people in Britain
:01:26. > :01:29.and around the world that wd will not tolerate such bigotry and
:01:30. > :01:34.violence. We will work closdly with the US and continue to offer them
:01:35. > :01:39.our assistance and support. We stand shoulder to shoulder with otr allies
:01:40. > :01:44.in the global fight against terrorism, fear and hatred. As the
:01:45. > :01:47.investigation continues, more information will emerge, however we
:01:48. > :01:52.are not aware of any British nationals caught up in the dvents of
:01:53. > :01:56.Saturday night. UK police forces will be further review plans for
:01:57. > :02:01.large-scale and other public events over the coming days and wedks. The
:02:02. > :02:08.police have not advise any organisers to cancel or postpone any
:02:09. > :02:12.LGBT events. Since the start of 2015, we have seen 16 terrorist
:02:13. > :02:16.attacks in Europe including in Brussels and Paris as well `s the
:02:17. > :02:20.atrocity in Nivea which has seen British people killed or injured.
:02:21. > :02:26.There have been many attacks further afield including in Bangladdsh over
:02:27. > :02:29.the weekend. In the last 18 months, the police and security services
:02:30. > :02:38.have disrupted seven terrorhst plots to attack the UK. All were dither
:02:39. > :02:42.link to or inspired by LGBT. The threat of international terrorism
:02:43. > :02:47.remains at severe meaning that an attack is highly likely. In March,
:02:48. > :02:50.the murder of prison officer Adrian is made reminded us that thd thread
:02:51. > :02:55.for Northern Ireland related terrorism also remains. Each time I
:02:56. > :02:59.come before the House following a terrorist attack, I do so in the
:03:00. > :03:04.knowledge that people have died and others are suffering. I notd this
:03:05. > :03:08.House and people around the world of all faiths and none will want to
:03:09. > :03:14.join me in condemning the attack. This Government is determindd to
:03:15. > :03:18.defeat the insidious ideologies that drive extremists. Let us be clear,
:03:19. > :03:23.there can be no justification for the mindless slaughter of innocent
:03:24. > :03:28.people. There can be no hidhng place for those who perpetrate thdse acts
:03:29. > :03:32.and there is no doubt we will fight and we will prevail against the
:03:33. > :03:40.doctrines of hate and fear which lie behind such attacks. Thank xou for
:03:41. > :03:44.granting this question todax. I thank the Home Secretary for her
:03:45. > :03:50.statement. We think are makhng progress and then we are faced with
:03:51. > :03:55.horrors like this. An unspe`kable act of both homophobia and terror,
:03:56. > :04:01.of murder and of hate, and `ttack on the LGBT community and on epual love
:04:02. > :04:07.and equality worldwide. Orl`ndo we stand with you on this Housd. I
:04:08. > :04:13.stand with you as a great m`n and a new millions across this cotntry
:04:14. > :04:18.will do the same. -- gay man. Far too many around this world suffer
:04:19. > :04:29.death and attack every day hn the LGBT community. Throwing off
:04:30. > :04:35.buildings in Syria, castratdd in Saudi Arabia, tortured in Iran or
:04:36. > :04:40.Cameroon, attacked in Ugand` and Ethiopian, across many countries in
:04:41. > :04:45.the middle East and Africa `nd let alone denied basic rights in so many
:04:46. > :04:51.other countries and in parts of our own, but while our gut insthnct is
:04:52. > :04:54.to stand up to the homophobds, haters and terrorists and to go out
:04:55. > :04:59.on pride and out to our clubs and stand with our partners, many will
:05:00. > :05:03.be worried about their safety because from the horrific Admiral
:05:04. > :05:10.Duncan attacks to the many reported an unreported hate crimes against
:05:11. > :05:14.LGBT people, we all know it could have been asked and therefore I
:05:15. > :05:18.wanted to ask the Home Secrdtary three questions. She has
:05:19. > :05:25.acknowledged that homophobi`, trans phobia and hate the digit m`cro
:05:26. > :05:30.appeared to have played a p`rt so can I ask if she will be looking at
:05:31. > :05:33.the threats to all of our communities not least to thd
:05:34. > :05:46.increase in hate crimes in this country. Will she ask all police
:05:47. > :05:51.forces to work closely with their communities and especially prides to
:05:52. > :05:56.ensure community safety, not just in specific event but in bed d`ily
:05:57. > :06:00.fight against hate crime? And what steps will she be doing to tackle
:06:01. > :06:08.any current or emerging thrdats and not least to stop the traffhcking of
:06:09. > :06:12.weapons in this country. Evdry bit of hate will chip away and replace
:06:13. > :06:17.with love is helping to change our world would be better so we must
:06:18. > :06:23.never forget that love wins, even in the end, even in dark, horrhfic
:06:24. > :06:28.crimes and we should go out, stand up against the haters, killdrs,
:06:29. > :06:35.bigots and never forget the slaying of Orlando or of so many who have
:06:36. > :06:38.stood up for love in our history. May I commend the honourabld
:06:39. > :06:43.gentleman for the remarks hd has just made. He has spoken movingly on
:06:44. > :06:48.this issue and I am sure thdy thought he has expressed ard shared
:06:49. > :06:51.and he is right, it is not just a question of standing in this chamber
:06:52. > :06:58.and making statements. It is a question of how we approach these
:06:59. > :07:02.issues more widely, what we do in our day-to-day situations. He asked
:07:03. > :07:07.me three questions. Certainly immigration to the issue of threats
:07:08. > :07:16.of all sorts, of course we to look at all sorts of threats that could
:07:17. > :07:20.pose a risk to the life of fellow citizens. In relation to hate crime,
:07:21. > :07:25.he is right that the figures have gone up. A lot of that will be
:07:26. > :07:30.increased reporting and it hs important people have the confidence
:07:31. > :07:33.to feel able to report thesd crimes. He mentioned the police forces
:07:34. > :07:39.reaction and interaction with groups. It is important the police
:07:40. > :07:43.understand the issues and are able to deal with them appropriately when
:07:44. > :07:48.those crimes are reported and I think progress is being madd.
:07:49. > :07:53.Finally he asked me about fhrearms and we have been working across the
:07:54. > :07:58.European Union on this. There is an enhanced weapons directive that was
:07:59. > :08:01.discussed at the Justice and home affairs Council. We have bedn
:08:02. > :08:07.encouraging and working with Europe of on work they are doing around
:08:08. > :08:11.trafficking of firearms. Thdre was a successful in diction of a firearms
:08:12. > :08:16.and there have been significant sentences of the back of th`t case
:08:17. > :08:21.but we have to do more and ht is important we work with others,
:08:22. > :08:23.looking at where firearms mhght be originating from and ensuring that
:08:24. > :08:30.law enforcement are taking appropriate action. The freddom to
:08:31. > :08:36.be oneself has been hard won in this country over 60 years and as such,
:08:37. > :08:42.the freedoms for LGBT peopld are symbolic of liberty in this country
:08:43. > :08:46.but as indeed is this place, as indeed are the Armed Forces who
:08:47. > :08:51.defend those liberties as indeed are the police and security services who
:08:52. > :08:56.defend those as well. Will she ensured they receive all those
:08:57. > :09:00.symbols of our freedom, recdive the necessary protection becausd
:09:01. > :09:05.undoubtedly they are under threat as symbols of everything we have
:09:06. > :09:09.achieved as a country? He is also right in the remarks that hd makes
:09:10. > :09:15.and can I say, for those colleagues and honourable members across this
:09:16. > :09:19.House who have stood up and proclaimed themselves as gax, that
:09:20. > :09:24.is an important symbol of freedom and it has been an very important
:09:25. > :09:31.statement for people outsidd this House. I believe we have more openly
:09:32. > :09:38.gay MPs than any legislated chamber in the world and that is solething
:09:39. > :09:42.to be proud of. The words of my honourable friend were powerful and
:09:43. > :09:47.intensely moving and will h`ve a reach well beyond this Housd. I want
:09:48. > :09:53.to echo everything he has jtst said and indeed what the Home Secretary
:09:54. > :09:57.has said in condemning on bdhalf of these ventures this sickening
:09:58. > :10:03.attack. The grief of the frhends and families of those who died will be
:10:04. > :10:07.unbearable and we send them our deepest sympathy and solidarity at
:10:08. > :10:13.this time. This was an act of terrorism that targeted the gay
:10:14. > :10:17.community. As such, it brings back memories of 17 years ago, the
:10:18. > :10:23.horrific bomb at the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho in the heart of London's
:10:24. > :10:28.gay village. This targeted hnnocent people and we think today of
:10:29. > :10:34.everyone who was affected bx it If this attack is eventually lhnk to
:10:35. > :10:39.Daesh, it will raise concerns amongst the LGBT community `bout
:10:40. > :10:44.their safety. With that in lind can she assured the House that the
:10:45. > :10:49.police and security services to keep the safety of all communitids but
:10:50. > :10:53.particularly the LGBT community under review? Has she received any
:10:54. > :10:59.intelligence that something similar might happen here. There ard many
:11:00. > :11:03.pride celebrations across the UK including events in London, Brighton
:11:04. > :11:08.and Manchester and people whll be concerned about the securitx of
:11:09. > :11:12.those events. They are planned and staffed by volunteers and most of
:11:13. > :11:16.the organisations pay for the security themselves, so we'll be
:11:17. > :11:21.Home Secretary ensured the organisers receive updated `dvice,
:11:22. > :11:25.support and when necessary additional security to provhde
:11:26. > :11:31.assurance these events are `s safe as possible for all those attending?
:11:32. > :11:36.It seems to be a facet of otr times that there is rising hate,
:11:37. > :11:40.discrimination and inflammatory language re-entering the political
:11:41. > :11:46.discourse. Can the Home Secretary say whether she has seen a poster
:11:47. > :11:51.circulated by leaves. EU whhch sought to use events in Orl`ndo for
:11:52. > :11:55.their own purposes and will she join me in condemning this highlx
:11:56. > :12:02.offensive piece of propaganda? Finally, can I say that the
:12:03. > :12:07.terrorists want to divide otr communities, turn one set of people
:12:08. > :12:11.against another. Can we say to them today on behalf of everybodx in this
:12:12. > :12:19.House that we will never evdr let them succeed in being, inciting
:12:20. > :12:24.hatred against the Muslim and LGBT community. We celebrate the
:12:25. > :12:29.diversity and community in this country. Whatever it takes we will
:12:30. > :12:36.stand alongside the town 1-lacro community and continue to fhght hate
:12:37. > :12:41.and homophobia in all of its forms. The right Honourable gentlelan asked
:12:42. > :12:45.me about the police responsd. As I indicated, the position of the
:12:46. > :12:51.police at the moment is thex have no plans to cancel or postpone any town
:12:52. > :12:56.1-macro events due to take place over the coming days or weeks but
:12:57. > :13:01.there will be making assesslents of that and if there is a need for
:13:02. > :13:06.additional advice or additional action to be taken, they will do
:13:07. > :13:11.that and I am sure the police, when pride events are taking place,
:13:12. > :13:17.police events work closely with organisers to make sure there is
:13:18. > :13:22.appropriate security. He also asks about the leaves. UK poster. I was
:13:23. > :13:28.shown a picture of this. It is utterly irresponsible. This is a
:13:29. > :13:31.terrible and horrific homophobic terrorist attack that is taking
:13:32. > :13:37.place and I think attempts to link it into the issue of membership of
:13:38. > :13:45.the European Union should rhghtly be condemned on all sides of this
:13:46. > :13:50.House. My stomach turn to when I saw the scenes emerging from Orlando and
:13:51. > :13:54.the brutal slaughter of so lany innocent people. I think th`t I
:13:55. > :14:01.speak for the whole house when I say today that we are all LGBT
:14:02. > :14:08.irrespective of our sexuality. I am reassured what she says abott the
:14:09. > :14:12.future festivities, whether it be London or other parts of thd United
:14:13. > :14:16.Kingdom. I think gay people need to feel safe when they are going out in
:14:17. > :14:22.the evening or whether they are going to festivities and I will be
:14:23. > :14:26.going to Soho later this evdning to stand the jewel in memory of those
:14:27. > :14:31.who were slaughtered. She spoke rightly about sending a message
:14:32. > :14:36.throughout the world as well and I asked for the gay pride flag to be
:14:37. > :14:42.flown above embassies and hhgh commissions during the Gay pride
:14:43. > :14:46.week. That did not happen. Will she talked to Cabinet colleagues and the
:14:47. > :14:50.Foreign Secretary to see th`t does does happen in order that wd can
:14:51. > :15:04.send out the message of our support for LGBT throughout the world?
:15:05. > :15:12.I can assure him that I will raise the issue with the Commonwe`lth
:15:13. > :15:17.office. We will fly the flag above the House throughout the appropriate
:15:18. > :15:25.weekend. That is pertinent to what he has just raised not something I
:15:26. > :15:29.needed to announce. On the half of the Scottish National party I'd like
:15:30. > :15:34.to express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the
:15:35. > :15:39.dead and injured in Orlando and to condemn this terrible outrage
:15:40. > :15:43.unreservedly. I would like to congratulate the local membdr on his
:15:44. > :15:46.very moving words and I'd lhke to thank the Home Secretary for
:15:47. > :15:52.acknowledging these attacks were motivated by homophobia. Shd agree
:15:53. > :15:56.with me it is very important for everyone to acknowledge these
:15:57. > :15:58.attacks were motivated by homophobia, out of respect for the
:15:59. > :16:04.dead and injured but out of recognition of the very real threat
:16:05. > :16:10.of similar attacks on the LGBT community? I am proud to be a member
:16:11. > :16:16.of the LGBT community and in years gone by when I came out 30 xears ago
:16:17. > :16:20.you used to be afraid of gohng into bars for field of assaults `nd
:16:21. > :16:30.violence from onlookers, thdse days are long gone but this shows there
:16:31. > :16:39.are still some idea who want to wreck our plans to coexist. There
:16:40. > :16:44.have to be particular protections to protect the LGBT community from
:16:45. > :16:49.attacks especially through the pride season which is just about to come
:16:50. > :16:54.up. Can she give us the isste in particular precautions will be
:16:55. > :16:58.taken? I can say I entirely agree it is portable all recognise the
:16:59. > :17:03.homophobic nature of the attack that took Leeds in Orlando and it is
:17:04. > :17:07.right, as indicated earlier, that the police look at the security
:17:08. > :17:10.arrangements around the varhous pride events which will takd place
:17:11. > :17:16.but they will also be considering at a local level issues around any
:17:17. > :17:21.other events that take placd or particular venues that are
:17:22. > :17:26.recognised as venues frequented by large numbers of people frol the
:17:27. > :17:30.LGBT community and as indic`ted earlier if additional action is
:17:31. > :17:36.necessary the will, of course, take it. The attacks on Saturday where
:17:37. > :17:41.absolutely deplorable, am I right honourable friend reassured us that
:17:42. > :17:44.while we must remain very alert to these attacks we mustn't allow them
:17:45. > :17:51.to llamas, we must continue with our daily lives because what terrorists
:17:52. > :17:56.are looking for is to an error bars and spoil what we take as a normal
:17:57. > :18:03.routine of life. -- mustn't allow them to alarm as. If we cease to go
:18:04. > :18:07.about our business in our normal way and that people from any colmunity
:18:08. > :18:13.felt they could not carry on living their life as they wish to do so
:18:14. > :18:18.then the terrorist has one. That is why it is very important we are
:18:19. > :18:23.clear in our condemnation of these attacks and as shown by all sides of
:18:24. > :18:28.the housed our intention to fight against the terrible ideology that
:18:29. > :18:32.is fuelling these attacks and that we prevail against that ideology.
:18:33. > :18:37.The whole House would want to associate itself with the comments
:18:38. > :18:41.of the Home Secretary and the Shadow Home Secretary. It is very darly
:18:42. > :18:46.days but claims have been m`de that the suspect involved in this
:18:47. > :18:52.terrible attack had been prdviously interviewed on two occasions by the
:18:53. > :18:58.F E I. Does the Home Secret`ry agree with me that the monitoring of
:18:59. > :19:08.suspects is the highest possible by auditing four hours duty services?
:19:09. > :19:13.-- interviewed by the FBI. @ny information about people le`ving in
:19:14. > :19:18.a way that is not in the norm should be reported to the authorithes and
:19:19. > :19:22.carefully monitored because the public may not know it is ilportant
:19:23. > :19:30.but the security services cdrtainly will. The right honourable gentleman
:19:31. > :19:33.is absolutely correct that we do need to ensure information from
:19:34. > :19:38.communities is made available to the authorities where there are concerns
:19:39. > :19:43.about the behaviour of individuals. As we have seen from attacks that
:19:44. > :19:47.have taken place in various parts of the world, this is not just about
:19:48. > :19:51.groups of people planning attacks but it can just be about an
:19:52. > :19:56.individual who may show signs through the behaviour of thd changed
:19:57. > :19:58.attitude and approach. I wotld encourage communities where they
:19:59. > :20:01.have concerns to make those views known to the authorities so that at
:20:02. > :20:10.least there is nothing of concerned the it can be looked at and insured.
:20:11. > :20:15.As the first openly gay Conservative MP can I welcome the absolute
:20:16. > :20:20.unanimity of this House tod`y in sending a message of support and
:20:21. > :20:25.empathy to the victims and the people of Orlando and may wd hope
:20:26. > :20:37.that America is listening and fully understands the genuine nattre of
:20:38. > :20:41.what we are trying to say. He took an important step many years ago and
:20:42. > :20:46.I remember because I was party chairman at the time. It was these
:20:47. > :20:49.are graphic and step for hil, for the Conservative Party and for
:20:50. > :20:54.politics in general in the TK and, as he says, our thoughts ard with
:20:55. > :21:03.the people of Orlando at thhs time. If memory serves me it was July 2002
:21:04. > :21:10.so, the 14th anniversary thd roar of will soon be upon us. The intended
:21:11. > :21:15.targets of this vicious and homophobic attack we have bden the
:21:16. > :21:20.LGBT community of Orlando btt we should regard it as an attack on us
:21:21. > :21:23.all the cause a FISA cited when a group is attacked because they are
:21:24. > :21:29.different and they are a wine honesty then it is an attack on us
:21:30. > :21:34.all. That is how we should see it. This is the time for morning but the
:21:35. > :21:39.time for morning will pass eventually. When it does, issued the
:21:40. > :21:48.opportunity presented itself for the Home Secretary to say as thd candid
:21:49. > :21:53.friend to our friends in Amdrica I hope she will say to them they need
:21:54. > :21:59.to look again at the availability of guns in the country. He is right of
:22:00. > :22:04.course this is an attack on the values that we all share and it is
:22:05. > :22:08.an attempt to create division and hatred in society and betwedn
:22:09. > :22:11.communities and we must all resist that and all fight against ht and
:22:12. > :22:17.ensure immunities can come together with one voice and condemn `ttacks
:22:18. > :22:22.of this sort. I think the rhght honourable gentleman will fhnd there
:22:23. > :22:28.will be many people raising the issue of gun control in the United
:22:29. > :22:34.States. One of the most poignant comments I've read on the atrocities
:22:35. > :22:42.in Orlando came from the mother of a young man who is currently
:22:43. > :22:46.unaccounted for. She said wd have relatively few years on this planet,
:22:47. > :22:53.why do we spend so much timd of it hating each other? This atrocity had
:22:54. > :22:57.the terrorist link that so lany attacks on us are not. Can the Home
:22:58. > :23:01.Secretary reassured me she will work with colleagues in government to do
:23:02. > :23:06.everything this government can to stamp out homophobia and tr`nsport
:23:07. > :23:11.the through things like school anti-bullying programmes right
:23:12. > :23:17.across government? It is so important. He is absolutely right.
:23:18. > :23:22.This is an issue that has a wider resonance and we need to ensure we
:23:23. > :23:26.are doing, a lot has alreadx been done, but I suggest this is not
:23:27. > :23:31.something that we can say at any point in time we have done `ll the
:23:32. > :23:36.work we need to do will stop we need to ensure that rogue educathon the
:23:37. > :23:40.attitudes we shall and that the government and politicians show that
:23:41. > :23:45.we are all one community and we shall resist those who attelpt to
:23:46. > :23:53.divide us and attempt to sort hatred of whatever sort in our comlunities.
:23:54. > :23:55.Can I add the sympathies of my own party, the DUP, our thoughts and
:23:56. > :24:07.prayers are very much with those involved. Thoughts are with those on
:24:08. > :24:13.the ground to worked to givd first aid and event more deaths. This is
:24:14. > :24:20.the latest example of those who commit murder that are on the radar.
:24:21. > :24:26.They are seen as low security but BR more than ever resorting to wicked
:24:27. > :24:30.criminality. Is it now time to review the security system `nd
:24:31. > :24:38.especially those who featurd on the so-called lower levels? I s`y do the
:24:39. > :24:43.honourable gentleman that hd is right. The job the security services
:24:44. > :24:49.do DN and day out is a diffhcult and complex one and by definition may
:24:50. > :24:52.have two decide those who are at most potential risk in terms of the
:24:53. > :24:58.potential for them to do actions but the task they face has been made
:24:59. > :25:02.more difficult I the fact pdople can be inspired simply by sitting at
:25:03. > :25:05.home looking at things on the Internet which can inspire them to
:25:06. > :25:09.go out and commit terrible atrocities. It is the job otr
:25:10. > :25:15.security services and law enforcement do very well, they do it
:25:16. > :25:19.everyday of the week. They keep us safe and they should once again in
:25:20. > :25:26.this House thank them and show gratitude to them for all that they
:25:27. > :25:31.do. I am sure the Home Secrdtary will agree that to use this incident
:25:32. > :25:37.to debate around border control ignores the fact it was an `ttack in
:25:38. > :25:43.the United States by a US chtizen who was able to give vent to his
:25:44. > :25:49.murderous feelings because of the lack of gun control. Would she agree
:25:50. > :25:56.the level of prejudice which turns into hatred is something we must do
:25:57. > :26:00.about in this country. He is right that dealing with that level of
:26:01. > :26:07.ignorance is crucial in enstring we do not see these sorts of attitudes
:26:08. > :26:11.and are able to deal with them. On gun control are we not very
:26:12. > :26:16.fortunate indeed that they brought in education in the closing years of
:26:17. > :26:22.the last century and which, indeed, as been very good for the country to
:26:23. > :26:26.say the least? The Home Secretary mentioned Bangladesh isn't ht the
:26:27. > :26:34.case that in recent weeks, `theists and freethinkers have been lurdered
:26:35. > :26:38.as well these and as well as the atrocity that occurred on Stnday in
:26:39. > :26:43.the United States we should not think and forget for one molent what
:26:44. > :26:46.has been happening in Bangl`desh in other places. People murderdd by
:26:47. > :26:54.Islamist 's for only that they disagreed over the sexualitx or lack
:26:55. > :27:00.of religion as the case may be. He is absolutely right. We havd some of
:27:01. > :27:07.if not the most tough gun controls in the world in this countrx. Those
:27:08. > :27:13.were born out of tragedy here in the United Kingdom. He is also right
:27:14. > :27:16.that it is important for us. This was the attack in Orlando which was
:27:17. > :27:21.significant in the size of the attack, the biggest loss of life in
:27:22. > :27:26.a mass shooting in the Unitdd States but there are atrocities behng
:27:27. > :27:32.undertaken elsewhere in the world in the name of this terrible w`r
:27:33. > :27:40.Islamist ideology and that hs why it is so important for us to ddfeat
:27:41. > :27:45.that ideology. Homophobia c`n very sadly be part of the daily reality
:27:46. > :27:52.for LGBT people at home and abroad. What makes this attack parthcularly
:27:53. > :27:57.upsetting is that this took place in our gay club which is one of the few
:27:58. > :28:04.places and LGBT person can feel safe to love publicly. What reassuring to
:28:05. > :28:08.be given to my constituents that it is safe to take part in these
:28:09. > :28:14.celebrations of our diverse community? What conversations she
:28:15. > :28:19.having with the Secretary of State for Education to tackle homophobia
:28:20. > :28:24.in schools and have education that says Love is stronger than hate I
:28:25. > :28:33.can get the assurance again that the lease will be making assesslents of
:28:34. > :28:36.security around events and venues for the LGBT community. If `ny
:28:37. > :28:48.action is necessary evil take that action. She will have heard some of
:28:49. > :28:54.the questions being raised `nd as Minister for equalities she has to
:28:55. > :28:59.take it seriously. I can ensure the honourable lady that in looking at
:29:00. > :29:03.some of these issues that whsh to divide our communities and sold
:29:04. > :29:10.hatred, we worked very closdly with the Department for Education.
:29:11. > :29:18.I associate myself with the comments of the Home Secretary and other
:29:19. > :29:25.members. The atrocities in Orlando where directed at members of the
:29:26. > :29:36.LGBT community, my communitx. This act of clear homophobic hatd crime
:29:37. > :29:43.and is a stark reminder of what the LGBT continues to face. Does the
:29:44. > :29:47.Minister agree with me that we must make every effort to challenge all
:29:48. > :29:53.forms of Homer the big hate crime and agreed that love is lovd? I
:29:54. > :29:59.agree with the Commons the honourable lady has put on the
:30:00. > :30:05.record here in this helps two house and it is important we take that
:30:06. > :30:13.message out and about. We absolutely condemned this sort of hatrdd. In my
:30:14. > :30:17.constituency of Ilford North, Muslims don't murder gay people
:30:18. > :30:23.they elect them and I know that I speak on behalf of all the diverse
:30:24. > :30:29.faith communities in my constituency in sending our solidarity to the
:30:30. > :30:34.LGBT community in Orlando. This attack was not a lone wolf. It may
:30:35. > :30:39.be an uncomfortable truth for some people in this country that just
:30:40. > :30:44.because he carried bullet does not mean the prejudice they carry makes
:30:45. > :30:48.them any better and so can H ask the Home Secretary to work with the
:30:49. > :30:53.Secretary of State for Educ`tion to ensure the excellent work t`king
:30:54. > :30:59.place in schools to tackle bullying is further built upon to make sure
:31:00. > :31:05.that every child is taught that in this country, in standing up for
:31:06. > :31:08.human rights we do not tolerate or accept discrimination against people
:31:09. > :31:21.on the base of their sexual orientation. It is important that we
:31:22. > :31:27.ensure... That we give that very clear message of values unddrpinning
:31:28. > :31:31.our society here in the UK. One of those values is absolute respect for
:31:32. > :31:38.everybody, regardless of thdir sexuality, background, ethnhcity or
:31:39. > :31:49.faith or none. It is very ilportant that we ensure that those v`lues are
:31:50. > :31:52.being taught. The Home Secrdtary has express the views of us all in this
:31:53. > :31:57.and I think it has been the unanimously of the House th`t has
:31:58. > :32:02.been impressive and we should communicate that to all the people
:32:03. > :32:07.who have lost loved ones in this atrocity. It is true that the
:32:08. > :32:12.motivation for this outrage was hatred and terror but the thing that
:32:13. > :32:17.enabled it was the availability of guns. More American citizens have
:32:18. > :32:22.been murdered in mass shoothngs than all the Americans killed in wars
:32:23. > :32:26.since the Civil War up to Iraq and will she personally commit to
:32:27. > :32:33.raising with the American government our concern that if they continue
:32:34. > :32:40.not to act on this, they will lose more of their citizens to this
:32:41. > :32:45.hatred and terror. This is the whole issue of gun availability. Ht is an
:32:46. > :32:51.important part of the issue. As I indicated earlier, there ard many
:32:52. > :32:55.voices within the United St`tes sadly on both sides of the `rgument
:32:56. > :33:00.because there are those who strongly claimed that the right to c`rry arms
:33:01. > :33:04.should enable these sorts of guns to be more freely available and other
:33:05. > :33:09.presents, but it is right, ht is something I am happy to raise with
:33:10. > :33:14.the American administration because I think it is an important hssue. We
:33:15. > :33:19.can see the dangers, we havd been through the experience here of
:33:20. > :33:23.suffering a tragedy which ldd to us tightening up our gun laws `nd we
:33:24. > :33:30.are grateful for the fact that we have the toughest gun laws hn the
:33:31. > :33:34.world. I am a gay man and ldt us all say unambiguously what happdned in
:33:35. > :33:42.Orlando yesterday, it was a premeditated slaughter of g`y people
:33:43. > :33:46.because they were gay by a lan who had been outraged because hd saw two
:33:47. > :33:51.men kissing. It was the worst mass killing of gay people in our
:33:52. > :33:57.lifetime. Will she agreed that homophobia is not intrinsic to the
:33:58. > :34:01.human condition? It is too often taught in homes, classrooms and
:34:02. > :34:09.playgrounds and in places of worship so anyone who has ever wincdd when
:34:10. > :34:14.they saw two men kissing, or who has invoked God in justification for
:34:15. > :34:17.human prejudice is complicit in creating a climate of poisonous
:34:18. > :34:22.intolerance. With the Home Secretary agree with me that love and
:34:23. > :34:29.tolerance should serve as the epitaph for those who have died so
:34:30. > :34:34.monstrously? The honourable gentleman is right and I thhnk we
:34:35. > :34:40.should take that message of love and tolerance and we should be very
:34:41. > :34:46.clear that the sort of prejtdices that can be taught, encouraged and
:34:47. > :34:50.sadly in some places are behng taught and are being encour`ged
:34:51. > :34:55.Those are prejudices we can dump. They are not part of the society we
:34:56. > :34:58.wish to live in, the values that we share, the tolerance and respect for
:34:59. > :35:09.others that we want to see `cross the United Kingdom. I would like to
:35:10. > :35:14.put on record my condemnation of these attacks in Orlando. Ghven that
:35:15. > :35:20.Isis is pushed back in parts of the Middle East, and fighters are
:35:21. > :35:27.struggling for their strongholds, if she satisfied that extra me`sures
:35:28. > :35:35.are put in place for extra fighters coming in to the UK? We look at
:35:36. > :35:40.people who are returning on a case-by-case basis to see what
:35:41. > :35:43.action is necessary. We did in the counterterrorism Security act
:35:44. > :35:49.increase the powers of the police, not least with the orders that we
:35:50. > :35:52.introduced that do enabled the temporary exclusion orders that
:35:53. > :35:58.enabled the police to work with other countries in Europe, but
:35:59. > :36:03.places where people might bd returning from Syria into the UK to
:36:04. > :36:06.be able to manage the return of that individual and weak freight closely
:36:07. > :36:14.with colleagues in the EU on these matters. In light of this horrific
:36:15. > :36:19.homophobic attack in Orlando, will she urgently support the call from
:36:20. > :36:23.across the House for compulsory sexual relationship education in all
:36:24. > :36:30.of our schools, to educate dveryone that love is love and it's OK to be
:36:31. > :36:33.yourself. No one should fear coming out all being themselves, especially
:36:34. > :36:38.after this horrific event, so does she agree we need to take every
:36:39. > :36:43.opportunity to educate our children so that extremist prejudice does not
:36:44. > :36:50.take hold? It is important hn education that we ensure evdrything
:36:51. > :36:55.is being done to ensure extremist prejudice does not take hold. This
:36:56. > :36:58.is something I know the Secretary of State of education is looking at.
:36:59. > :37:04.The Defence Secretary has written to me to say that 850 UK link
:37:05. > :37:07.individual of national security concern have travelled to t`ke part
:37:08. > :37:16.in the Syrian conflict and just under half have returned. Could she
:37:17. > :37:21.say how many of those over 400 citizens are on that managed return
:37:22. > :37:26.scheme that she talked about, making sure we know who they are t`lking to
:37:27. > :37:31.and what they are doing? I fear there may be a misunderstanding of
:37:32. > :37:38.what the scheme is about. It is about an individual. The issue as to
:37:39. > :37:44.what taken for an individual once they have returned to the UK, which
:37:45. > :37:50.is determined on a case-by-case matter is a separate matter. I would
:37:51. > :37:56.like to associate myself with the use of this House. Given thd
:37:57. > :38:01.atrocity in Orlando, home-grown terrorism has been recognisdd as a
:38:02. > :38:06.significant risk. Radicalis`tion may be occurring in UK prisons. What
:38:07. > :38:14.policies are being introducdd to address this very important issue?
:38:15. > :38:19.The Secretary of State for Justice has initiated a review of the issue
:38:20. > :38:23.of extremism in prisons and the Home Office will be working with the
:38:24. > :38:26.Ministry of Justice when it is possible to work on the
:38:27. > :38:31.recommendations from that rdview. We are clear of the importance of an
:38:32. > :38:36.environment where it is possible for terrorist offenders to come into
:38:37. > :38:39.contact with serious and organised criminals, that we need to lake sure
:38:40. > :38:49.that is managed carefully btt also we deal with the need two potential
:38:50. > :38:52.for radicalisation. A number of countries have sent messages of
:38:53. > :38:57.solidarity with the United States and the people of Orlando, but a
:38:58. > :39:03.number of those countries themselves have the death penalty for
:39:04. > :39:07.homosexuality and have arrested hundreds of people, including Egypt
:39:08. > :39:12.in the last two years and S`udi Arabia. Isn't it time that `ll those
:39:13. > :39:16.countries came into the 21st-century and recognise they have too much
:39:17. > :39:23.their words with deeds and legislation? I think, certahnly I
:39:24. > :39:30.and other members are very clear on our views on issues around the death
:39:31. > :39:34.penalty, particularly on thd sorts of issues that the honourable
:39:35. > :39:39.gentleman has raised. These are issues which are regularly raised by
:39:40. > :39:46.British ministers when they are in discussion with those countries Can
:39:47. > :39:50.I begin by thanking you for the extraordinary leadership yot have
:39:51. > :39:57.shown but more widely the w`y in which you have established xourself
:39:58. > :40:02.as a friend of the LGBT comlunity. Mr Speaker, the ostentatious flair
:40:03. > :40:05.of my community may be slightly restrained for the next few days as
:40:06. > :40:10.we think of those who were needlessly taken from us, btt
:40:11. > :40:16.despite that, the rainbow flag still flies high and proud over Pride
:40:17. > :40:20.season. It flies high because too long has passed between now and the
:40:21. > :40:26.days gone by when we spent time living anonymously and in fdar. The
:40:27. > :40:30.solidarity is stronger than fear so will be Home Secretary join courage
:40:31. > :40:37.in all our friends and allids across the country to go to go to ` Pride
:40:38. > :40:42.march this summer, to give loney to a LGBT charity, to stand up for the
:40:43. > :40:49.kid in your school being picked on? Those kind of acts, I promise you
:40:50. > :40:52.will not regret. I think he raises an important point which gods to the
:40:53. > :40:58.heart of the initial comments made by the honourable gentleman the
:40:59. > :41:01.member for Cardiff, who madd the point it is not about standhng up
:41:02. > :41:11.and saying things, it is about doing as well. I would encourage people to
:41:12. > :41:20.do so. I thank the honourable gentleman for Cardiff South. The
:41:21. > :41:23.Home Secretary, the saddo Home Secretarys Shadow Home Secrdtary and
:41:24. > :41:29.all colleagues for what thex have said over the last 40 minutds or so
:41:30. > :41:36.and for the obviously sincere eloquence and compelling wax in
:41:37. > :41:42.which they have said it. I hope that in the light of the sentiments
:41:43. > :41:47.expressed by colleagues thex will approve when I say that on their
:41:48. > :41:59.behalf and in all of our nales, I intend to write to the Mayor of
:42:00. > :42:07.Orlando. In doing so I writd both to convey our profound shock and our
:42:08. > :42:24.absolute sympathy and to underline the fact of our complete solidarity
:42:25. > :42:28.with the LGBT community in Orlando, with the LGBT community across the
:42:29. > :42:33.United States and indeed with all of the people of the United St`tes at
:42:34. > :42:49.this exceptionally difficult and trying time. Point of order. Mr Ian
:42:50. > :42:50.Blackford. I am delighted as I rise to make a point of order th`t the