The Definition of Terrorism CM 7052 - Official Documents

80. The considerations outlined in the previous paragraph leave me in no doubt that
there is really no practical way of introducing the kind of statutory defence
suggested, and at the same time remain within international legal obligations.
81. However, I suggest that a new statutory obligation be inserted within the definition
section to strengthen confidence that the discretion for or against the use of the
Terrorism Act 2000 is exercised correctly in relation to actions outside the United
Kingdom and persons and property outside the United Kingdom. The new
obligation might require all uses of the Act in relation to extraterritorial matters to
be subject to the approval of the Attorney General having regard to (a) the nature
of the action or threat of action under investigation (b) the target of the action or
the threat of action, and (c) international legal obligations.
82. It should remain clear that actions such as the attempted smuggling of prohibited
and potentially terrorist material from this country to other countries, whatever
their political complexion, are domestic crimes within the UK.
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