The United Kingdom
-
Writen byKeith Syrett - PublisherCambridge University Press
- Year
The history of terrorism in the United Kingdom encompasses several key events and legislative responses. The earliest notable incident was the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which conspirators attempted to assassinate King James I. Over subsequent centuries, the UK faced various challenges from Irish republican campaigns, emerging from the mid-16th century colonization of Ireland, with key actors including the IRA and loyalist paramilitary groups. This tension culminated in The Troubles (1969–2001), a period of intense conflict resulting in approximately 3,531 deaths, which was partially resolved by the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, and the IRA formally ending its armed campaign in 2005. Later, the 7/7 London bombings in 2005 highlighted the evolving nature of terrorism and prompted updates to the UK’s legal counter-terrorism framework. The legislative response historically relied on temporary emergency powers, such as the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1974, which was renewed annually for 25 years, before transitioning to permanent legislation under the Terrorism Act 2000, applicable across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, with further laws enacted post-2000 to address threats like Al-Qaeda. Under the Terrorism Act 2000, terrorism is defined by both a mens rea, involving acts intended to influence government or intimidate the public for political, religious, racial, or ideological purposes, and an actus reus, including serious violence, property damage, endangerment of life, public health or safety risks, and disruption of electronic systems; acts involving firearms or explosives are automatically included, and the law applies extraterritorially. This broad definition has been criticized for potentially blurring the line between terrorism and extreme political protest. Key references for this historical and legal context include Sutton, M. (1994), Bear in mind these dead…; the Lloyd Report (1996), Inquiry into Legislation against Terrorism, Cm 3240; and the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993, s.2(2).
