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Straw: considering clamping down

Straw Considers Measures against Foreign Activists in UK

The Home Secretary, Jack Straw, is reported to be considering the introduction of legislation to stop foreign political activists using Britain as base to plot or finance terrorist acts abroad.

In a letter to Jewish leaders, Mr Straw said he was thinking of putting forward a bill similar to that introduced in the last parliament by the Conservative MP, Nigel Waterson.

That measure was defeated, which led the then government accusing Labour of failing to honour a pledge to support it. Labour said the Bill had failed because there hadn't been a quorum in the House.

Britain has unsuccessfully tried to expell dissidents like the Saudi opposition activist Dr Al Masari -- an attempt that he challenged with success in the courts.

Dr Al Masari discusses the issue with Joseph Millis of the Jewish Chronicle on the Today programme Duration 4'30"

Reports on Thursday said that Israel was about to demand the closure of a British-based charity -- the Palestinian Relief abd Development Fund, Interpal -- for allegedly channelling funds to the militant group, Hamas. Last year the British group's assets were frozen briefly after a similar Israeli charge.

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