Connor Brown's mum's anger after Tory MPs refuse to ban ninja swords

Legislation to outlaw the Japanese weapons, which have been popularised in Western culture, was voted down by a majority of over 100 in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Tory MPs who opposed the Labour proposal argue ninjatō - short swords with straight blades - are used by military historians and for commemorations, making the ban ‘difficult’.

But a similar weapon was used in the killing of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda two years ago and, as the knife crime epidemic continues, pleas from his mother to make them illegal fell on deaf ears.

Tanya Brown, whose 18-year-old son, Connor, was stabbed to death in Sunderland in 2019, said refusing to ban the blades is ‘appalling and shocking’.

Connor Brown (Image: Contributor)She said: “With knife crime on the rise, the fact those who have the powers to do something pro-active and ban such deadly weapons but are choosing not to just infuriates me.

“Why? Just why would they not agree to ban this type of sword, which has been used in violent crimes?

“Each one of these people should be ashamed, and I hope they never have to walk a day in the footsteps of a parent who has lost a child in this knife crime epidemic we are in.”

Tanya launched the Connor Brown Trust is memory of her son and is part of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce, which was launched by the Northern Echo as part of a hard-hitting campaign following the murders of several teenagers in the region.

Meetings have been attended by Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper who said campaign would help shape Labour’s policies in tackling knife crime.

After the vote she branded the Tories ‘shameful’ for blocking their amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill and vowed to ban the swords if her party wins the next General Election.

Speaking to those who voted against the law, Tanya said: “From a grieving mother, all I can say is I pray you never feel this pain, and you should be ashamed of your decision because it's certainly not been made with the public’s best interest at heart.”

A key goal of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce is for authorities to restrict access to lethal weapons that are used to kill and cause serious harm on our streets.

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said the Government had let people down.

She said: “I can only imagine how the families of victims who have lost loved ones as a result of such weapons feel learning this.

“This was their chance to stick by their word and be more proactive in their efforts to get knives off the streets.

“People want to see more effort tackling knife crime, not less.

“It’s not just the owners but the manufacturers, the importers, the sellers and the whole ease of buying online.

“People want to feel safe in their communities and feel Government is doing everything in its power to make sure of this.”

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Alex Cunningham (Image: Contributor)Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham spoke at length in the Commons during the debate.

He said: “These swords are designed to kill.

“They are not ornamental pieces, many of those on sale in the UK are not historical artefacts, just cheap replicas designed to take lives. 

“I have fully supported the Northern Echo's campaign to tackle knife crime and yesterday provided an opportunity for us all to take a step in the right direction.

“The Tory MPs need to search their souls to justify voting to keep these swords on our streets.”

His view is echoed by Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for Durham City, who said it means people will still be able to buy 'these horrendous weapons' online with barely any checks.

She said: "Despite promising over 16 times to outlaw dangerous knives, the Government rolled out some feeble excuses for not backing this ban.

"Since it's inception, I have been proud to support the Northern Echo's Knife Crime Task Force, and my team and I have met and heard the moving testimony of families that have been victims of knife crime in the North East.

"So it sickens me that my neighbouring Conservative MPs in County Durham, who are also invited to meetings of the task force, chose to vote against blocking the sales of horrific weapons when we are supposed to be supporting a regional campaign to tackle knife crime together. 

"The vote was a real chance for the Government to show that they were listening.

"Instead, they chose to play politics. They should hang their heads in shame."

Conservative MP for Sedgefield Paul Howell attends taskforce meetings and has supported Zoey McGill, mother of 18-year-old Jack Woodley, from Newton Aycliffe, who died after he was fatally stabbed in 2021.

But he, along with fellow North East Tory MPs Dehenna Davison, Richard Holden, Matt Vickers, Matt Vickers, Ian Levy, Guy Opperman, Jill Mortimer and Anne Marie Trevelyan, voted against the proposed ban.

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Paul Howell (Image: Contributor)Mr Howell said: “We need to remember that curved swords over 50cm are already banned, with limited exceptions for antiques.

“Government have concentrated on banning knives and machetes that the police tell us are being increasingly used in violent crime, and have features which seem to have been designed to look intimidating but have no practical use.

“Once implemented, the Online Safety Act will require tech companies to proactively tackle content which promotes the sale of illegal knives online.

“The government is investing heavily in a twin track approach to tackle knife crime, which combines early intervention and prevention with tough enforcement.

“I felt this amendment added nothing to the Bill in terms of the knife crime we all want to see the end of and we need to keep the focus where it already is.”

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, also voted against the amendment.

He said: "So-called ‘Ninja swords' are already classified as 'made' offensive weapons under existing legislation, meaning their possession and use are already heavily regulated and subject to stringent penalties. 

“Possessing a sword or any knife, even a kitchen knife, in a public place without good reason is already a criminal offence punishable by up to four years in prison.

“What the National Police Chiefs Council are actually asking for is a clampdown on the online sale of knives for the under 18, which something the Conservatives are delivering with our Online Safety Act.

"My focus is on supporting our police force with the resources they need and ensuring our justice system can adequately deal with offenders - including by building more prison places.”