A new offence to cover lone individuals planning non-terrorist mass killings should be considered in the wake of the Southport attacks, the UK's terror watchdog has said. However the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, Jonathan Hall KC, says the definition of terrorism should not be expanded or changed.

A review concluded extending the definition to cover extreme violence by 'loners' such as Axel Rudakubana is unhelpful

Review warns changing definition could lead to 'unacceptable' restrictions on freedom of expression and says new law is needed instead

Jonathan Hall KC warned against expanding the definition of terrorism, instead calling for a new criminal offence targeting loners who plot mass killings like Axel Rudakubana and Nicholas Prosper

The definition of terrorism should not be changed in the wake of the Southport murders but a new offence created to address the gap for lone individuals planning mass killings should be considered, the UK’s terror watchdog has said.