The Home Secretary has today appointed John Woodcock MP as the UK special envoy for countering violent extremism.
The new role will focus on improving the UK’s response to violent extremism, with a particular focus on tackling far right violent extremism, taking lessons from global best practice.
John Woodcock is a former member of the Defence Select Committee and the Home Affairs Select Committee and has experience working on counter-terrorism legislation.
Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said: “Our counter-terrorism strategy is always evolving to match the changing threat and this important new role will help to inform this work.
“As well as informing the UK’s work tackling terrorism, it will also ensure we share these lessons with our global partners.
“John Woodcock will bring a range of skills and experience to the role and I am delighted he has accepted this position.”
John Woodcock has said: “I am honoured to be asked to contribute to the government’s critically important counter terror strategy as I step down from the House of Commons. As a backbench MP, I have long argued that the UK must rise to the security challenges posed by far right extremism and radicalised British nationals returning from Jihad in foreign conflict zones.
“This role represents a great opportunity to make the case for the security alliances that keep our citizens safe and to explore how the UK can learn from global best practice in countering the violent extremism spread both by Islamists and re-emerging far right terror groups.”
