A Government foundation has said there is “no convincing evidence” that a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre built in Westminster would become a “trophy site” for terrorists.
On Tuesday, written evidence from former terrorism adviser Lord Carlile QC to the public inquiry into the project had warned that “the proposed site raises a clear - indeed self-evident - terrorism risk.”
Stressing that his “close relatives were exterminated in the Holocaust” Lord Carlile added that his warning came "from my extensive experience of observing, analysing and discussing terrorism issues with front-line practitioners.
"I give this warning with regret, but with total conviction. This would be a threat to the public, and also a potential threat to Parliament."
A spokesperson for the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation (UKHMF) told the JC: “There is no convincing evidence that the proximity to Parliament adds to the security burden of either building in a material way.”
They added: “The Secretary of State, as applicant, has sought advice from security experts on the safety of the site, including a physical attack. Those experts include, among others , the government’s own security services and the Metropolitan Police. Their advice has been followed.
“The proposed Memorial and Learning Centre will have a level of security appropriate to any structure close to Parliament and government buildings. It is a long-established convention that details of security arrangement are not publicly discussed. To do so would be to offer assistance to those who wish to cause harm.
“Every day thousands of people visit Westminster. They pass structures that have advance security vigilance. They do so because the British people will not allow criminals and terrorists to dictate where they walk on the streets of their Capital.”
In a further statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also said:“We are confident the proposed site of the UK Holocaust Memorial will be secure.
“We are fully aware of the security implications associated with this site and we have been advised on measures to mitigate risks.
"The Memorial will stand as a reminder to all in Parliament, and the whole nation, of our responsibility to remain vigilant against intolerance and bigotry.”
HET’s chief executive Karen Pollock added: “In honour of those who were murdered in the Holocaust a national memorial right next to Parliament, the heart of our democracy, is a really important move in ensuring our nation remembers.”
She added we “cannot live in fear or be deterred.”
During Tuesday’s inquiry, the QC Christopher Katkowski, representing the UKHMF, said the application was “overwhelmingly in the public interest”.
The barrister said the “resonance between the scheme and the site is striking.” He added that ultimately the issue at stake was whether “harm to heritage and to other interests are outweighed by the public benefits.”
But in a written statement, Trudy Gold, who has taught adults and children on Holocaust issues for more than 40 years and was one of the founder members of the British Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, said the memorial “will do nothing to solve the very serious problem of antisemitism – and is, at worst, counter-productive and dangerous.
“It will not prevent antisemitism: that will require something far more forensic and comprehensive”, Mrs Gold said.
But Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich said: “A memorial now next to Parliament where decisions are made will help us to learn the lessons that we have not done so far.
“As the Holocaust recedes into history and we survivors become less able to share our testimonies this memorial and learning centre will be a lasting legacy so that future generations will understand why it is important for people to remember the Holocaust, to learn from the past and stand up against injustice.”
Barrister Zack Simons, representing Learning from the Righteous, a charity which promotes Holocaust education, told the online hearing: “Our case is that that the scheme’s location next to the Palace of Westminster constitutes a public benefit of overwhelming importance.
“In the end we will join with the applicant in asking you to recommend planning permission be granted.”
Barrister Meyric Lewis, speaking at the inquiry on behalf of the Thorney Island Society, the London Gardens Trust and the campaign group Save Victoria Tower Gardens, said: “The proposals would turn a calm, green garden space into a cluttered, visually and physically congested and urbanised landscape.”
Plans and slides of the proposed project when it is completed were also shown to the inquiry.
Architects working on the project, led by Sir David Adjaye, said they were aiming to ensure 90 per cent of the original park was retained.
The Holocaust memorial proposal has been controversial since it was proposed by David Cameron five years ago.
It has been backed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer, along with the former leaders Theresa May, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major, more than 170 MPs and peers, and many faith leaders.
The inquiry into the memorial’s location opened after the application was “called in” by Esther McVey, the then housing minister, last November.
The final decision on the application will be taken by her successor, Christopher Pincher in five weeks’ time.
On Monday, the JC revealed how cabinet minister Robert Jenrick and his family had received death threats over the Westminster Memorial project.
That same day the High Court ruled Mr Jenrick had acted properly in regard to the planning application.
A legal challenge brought against the minister by the London Historic Parks and Gardens Trust argued there had been a conflict of interest in the government’s handling of the planning application.
It was first announced in 2016 by then Prime Minister Mr Cameron, who said it would be dedicated to the six million Jewish men, women and children and other victims murdered by the Nazis.
