Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019

Key Points

• - Expanded border detention powers and rules for handling articles seized during border investigations.
• - Stronger detainee rights, including being informed of rights on detention and access to a solicitor, with safeguards on when rights can be restricted.
• - An independent review must be carried out within six months of passage to assess the government’s strategy for supporting people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism.
• - Regulatory safeguards on cross-border powers, including proposed designations of areas outside the UK and sunset/clear grounds for such regulations.
• - Clarifications to enforcement procedures and definitions (e.g., who is a responsible officer, what counts as a “relative,” and procedures around representations for seized articles).

Progress

The bill progressed through both Houses and received Royal Assent on 12 February 2019, becoming law.

Voting

The main provisions drew broad cross-party support, with Labour and other opposition groups backing the measure, while Conservative MPs were divided on some aspects. An attempt to add a further clause at the report stage was defeated, illustrating ongoing policy tensions even as the Act became law.