The arrested man is suspected of “preparing terrorist acts” but police chiefs stressed there is no immediate risk to the public. Last night, there was growing speculation the man would have slipped through the net had Mr Johnson not acted after officials told him the London Bridge killer had been freed early and was not being monitored by police or MI5. In the immediate aftermath of Friday’s outrage, the Prime Minister demanded police and civil servants carry out an urgent review of why the 74 were freed early and what conditions were put on their release. 

Khan went on the rampage at Fishmongers Hall after he had been let out of jail after completing less than half a 16-year sentence for terrorist crimes. 

One of the conditions of his licence was remote monitoring by electronic tag and restrictions on his access to the the internet. 

Khan, 28, was also banned from London where he and others planned to attack the Stock Exchange, Westminster Abbey and other iconic sites. 

A handwritten list of potential targets included the the home of Mr Johnson, then Mayor of London. 

The Prime Minister said yesterday: “I absolutely deplore the fact that this man was out on the street, I think it was absolutely repulsive and we are going to take action.” 

He heaped blame on the Labour Party for a law passed more than a decade ago that provided for some prisoners to be released early automatically. 

If the Conservatives win the General Election, Mr Johnson vowed to shake-up the system to ensure terrorists serve every day of their sentence. 

He also promised longer jail sentences for terrorists in future with a mandatory minimum of 14 years for serious offences. 

Some would be handed “whole life tariffs” and would never be free. 

By contrast, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said convicted should “not necessarily” serve their full prison terms. 

During a robust exchange with BBC presenter Andrew Marr, Mr Johnson told how he deplored Khan’s early release. 

“He had mentors, he had restrictions on his mobile phone, he had restrictions on internet access and so on but the key issue is that he was allowed out early,” Mr Johnson said. 

“It has nothing to do with parole, it has nothing to do with the probation service.  Legally, there was no way of stopping him coming out early on the basis on which he was sentenced.” 

Mr Marr asked how many others were like Khan. 

Mr Johnson replied: “There are probably about 74.  We’ve taken a lot of action as you can imagine in the last 48 hours and I don’t want to go into the operational details.  The 74 other individuals who been let out early on the basis of this Labour change to the legislation. 

“They are being properly invigilated so to ensure there is no threat to the public and we took that action immediately. 

“I do think there is an issue about automatic early release. I think it is wrong with serious sexual offenders.  I think it’s wrong for violent offenders. I think it’s wrong for terrorists and so I disagree with Jeremy Corbyn and [Shadow Attorney General] Shami Chakrabarti  when it comes to having shorter sentences for these people. 

“The reason this killer was out on the streets was because of automatic early release.” 

Mr Marr said: “You’ve had 10 years in government to get this regime for violent, criminal terrorists right, and as a government, you have patently failed.” 

The Prime Minister replied: “No – we’ve obviously invested a great deal in the counter-terrorism spending review. We put another £160 million into counter-terrorism.” 

Observers said Mr Johnson will seek to distance himself from recent Tory regimes especially the disastrous cuts in police and criminal justice system ordered by Theresa May when she was both Home Secretary and Prime Minister. 

The West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit confirmed a man was arrested in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday night. 

A spokesman said: “A search warrant was conducted on the night of November 30 in connection to a wider on-going review of existing licence conditions of convicted terrorism offenders. 

“As a result of a search of his home address, the 34-year-old was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. 

“These searches continue. There was no immediate risk to public safety.” 

The spokesman added: “There is no information to suggest that the arrested man was involved in the incident at London Bridge on Friday.” 

Khan, armed with two kitchen knives and wearing a realistic-looking explosives belt, was overpowered by brave members of the public after fleeing the hall. 

Moments later, he was shot dead by armed officers from the City of London Police.

Source: Read Full Article