Kent News - 'Bring back the death penalty for knife crime'

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Friday, September 3 2010, 6:13

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'Bring back the death penalty for knife crime'

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Roger Gale

A Kent MP has called for a return to the death penalty in order to deal with knife crime.

Roger Gale, the Tory MP for North Thanet, said that bringing back capital punishment for murder was the only way to deter people from carrying knives, short of banning all tools and kitchen utensils that could cause harm.

Mr Gale said: “Either ban hammers and screwdrivers and other carpenters’ tools or bring back capital punishment as the maximum available sentence for murder

“Are we seriously suggesting that Sabatier chef's knives should be banned?

“At home I have an oyster knife with a blade scarcely more than an inch long. It is potentially lethal. My wife Suzy and I also have a full range of kitchen cutlery and most of the knives have sharp points. Are we seriously suggesting that the fundamental implements of Western culinary art should be banned?

“Because if so then a panoply of carpenters and plumbers ‘weapons’ , for example, such as hammers and screwdrivers, will have to be taken out of circulation.

“I would suggest that the much more basic but practical response to the growth in armed crime is the re-introduction of capital punishment for murder.”

Mr Gale insisted that he is not in favour of a return to hanging.

He added: “I appreciate that a re-introduction would mean the repeal of the Human Rights Act but I have no problem with that whatsoever.

“Parliament must act in the interests of the UK and its people and not, necessarily, in compliance with European legislation.”

POSTED: 30/05/2008 09:53:30

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ADD YOUR COMMENT

Comments:

Added: Monday 03/05/2010 23:31:13 UK

Why have the British Public not been allowed to have any referendum on the Death penalty?
I was hoping one of the politcal parties would
be a lot tougher on crime.
I think the death penalty needs to be resumed as prison is not a deterrent with the soft sentences and conditions more like a hostel.
Lets support the victims and stop worrying about the criminals they do not think about the human rights of their victims.
Is there an MP who is prepared to fight for this to be reintroduced ?

gill, Altrincham, Cheshire

Added: Tuesday 26/01/2010 12:38:09 UK

With the greatest of respect for the do-gooder woman who argues that capital punishment does not work as a deterrent. After the abolishment of capital punishment in the UK in 1964 the murder rate escalated.
It never ceases to amaze me that ignorant fools bang on about the rights of the murderers, usually until one of their friends or family is murdered. Then the only thing you can think about is what my friend or relative was feeling and thinking for the last few seconds of their life, and the thought of the smug sight of the murderer as he is sentenced to 5 to 10. Do-gooders should concentrate more and support the victims rather than the subhuman low life’s who should be just thrown into machinery or off cliffs to save execution costs.

Eddie Johnson, Queenborough, Kent

Added: Friday 08/01/2010 15:55:09 UK

I am completely for the death penalty, after all the government has tried everything else and i don't think it scares any yobs now days.

The amount of people that want this too i dont understand why they dont make it one of their polices i think there'd have alot of backing.

Emma Crowe, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Added: Tuesday 10/11/2009 17:21:15 UK

I agree with the comment posted on 10.9.09
The perpetrators of these vile murders arrogantly quote their "human rights". Well what about the rights of the victims and their families, the families who have a life sentence of grief? Bring back hanging, we have the power of people behind us, the government dont have a clue. It is Biblical law to punish a murderer with death.

jacky bott, Burton on trent, Staffs

Added: Thursday 10/09/2009 17:45:42 UK

I have always belived in the death penalty for knife and gun crimes even more so know as on sun 6th sep at 3.45 my nieces husband was shot and killed in amhurst road hackney within the murder mile yet another waste of life a family man of 29 with 3 young children from 6mths to 8yrs old what on earth is this govenment doing about it nothing and all the do gooders rattling on about human rights lets pray it never happens to your family the heartbreak i have seen this week has been devasting

chris, london, uk

Added: Thursday 04/06/2009 20:11:02 UK

Thank goodness finally someone saying what the majority think. Murderer's and rapist's have no regard for the human rights of the victims, so why should they be allowed their's?
People who are opposed to it, must not truely imagine the horror that the victim must endure during these awful crimes.

Sarah, York, North Yorkshire

Added: Friday 10/10/2008 00:22:51 UK

The only answer is the death penalty. If somebody is willing to take someone's life, then they should pay with theirs! Well done that MP.

wayne, ashford, kent

Added: Tuesday 08/07/2008 10:44:36 UK

I wish he was my MP.

Tony, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Added: Friday 13/06/2008 23:20:01 UK

I think he is right, bringing back the death penalty will reduce the number of murders,help the victim's family feel justice has been done, help reduce the prison population and reduce the cost to the tax payer.

Chris, Maidstone, Kent

Added: Friday 30/05/2008 14:18:36 UK

I am curious as to why the honorable MP feels the death penalty effective as a way to combat this form of crime - when anyone with even the most basic level of knowledge of international affairs can see the absolute contradiction of the death penalty being effective. If the death penalty is a solution to violent crime why is the USA in the state it is? With respect, we need to think with our heads and not just issue soundbites designed to appeal to base irrational and medieval instincts.

Louise, Manchester, Greater Manchester