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UK Attack Now Political Football as Johnson, Corbyn Spar

Associated Press

   Britain's political leaders sparred Sunday over who is responsible for
   the early release of a convicted extremist who launched a stabbing
   attack in central London that left two dead and injured three.

   The argument centers over the early release from prison of Usman Khan,
   who served roughly half his sentence before being set free. He was able
   to stab five people before being shot dead by police despite conditions
   imposed on his release that were supposed to protect public safety.

   After a one-day pause out of respect for victims, the Friday attack is
   dominating the political scene as the Dec. 12 election nears, shifting
   the focus, at least for the moment, from Brexit and the National Health
   Service to issues of security and criminal justice.

   Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday blamed Khan's freedom on changes
   in sentencing rules made by the last Labour Party government before
   Johnson's Conservatives took power in 2010. He promised to toughen
   sentencing laws.
   "I think it is repulsive that individuals as dangerous as this man
   should be allowed out after serving only eight years and that's why we
   are going to change the law," he told BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

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