Labour MP David Lammy has come under fire after hosting a man who has been charged with being part of the banned Kurdish militant group PKK in the UK parliament.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was invited by Lammy to attend a meeting in parliament to discuss the situation in Kurdistan and the rights of Kurdish people. The man was arrested by police shortly after the meeting and charged with being a member of a proscribed organisation.
The PKK, or Kurdistan Workers’ Party, is a militant group that has been fighting for Kurdish independence in Turkey for decades. The group is considered a terrorist organisation by the UK government and is banned under the Terrorism Act 2000.
Lammy has defended his decision to invite the man to parliament, citing freedom of speech and the need to hear all perspectives on the issue. He has also called for the UK government to reconsider its ban on the PKK and to engage in dialogue with Kurdish groups.
However, critics have accused Lammy of being irresponsible and naive in hosting a member of a banned terrorist organisation in parliament. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen called the incident “shocking and dangerous” and called for an investigation into how the man was able to enter parliament.
The incident has sparked a debate about the boundaries of free speech and the role of MPs in engaging with controversial groups. While it is important for politicians to hear all perspectives, it is also crucial to uphold the rule of law and not provide a platform for terrorists or banned organisations.
It remains to be seen how this incident will impact Lammy’s reputation and political career. But one thing is clear – hosting a member of a banned terrorist group in parliament is a risky move that should be approached with caution and consideration.