Political correctness ‘paralysing’ fight against Islamic extremism, report warns
POLITICAL correctness is “paralysing” the fight against Islamic jihadis, a report has warned.
Extremists on the far right are much more likely to get help to change their ways.
More than nine in ten people being monitored by MI5 are suspected jihadis.
But just a quarter of referrals to anti-terror scheme Prevent are suspected of Islamic extremism.
Of those, only 30 per cent then get support.
Far-right extremists also make up a quarter of referrals but half of those get official help.
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, the alleged killer of MP Sir David Amess, was referred to Prevent as a teenager but was never made a “subject of interest” by MI5.
He is thought to have been brainwashed by videos of hate preacher Anjem Choudary.
The report was written by Dr Rakib Ehsan, of the Henry Jackson think tank.
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It says “Home Office data reveals far-right extremists outstrip Islamist extremists in terms of referrals and are more likely to be offered counter-radicalisation support and monitoring”.
Dr Ehsan said: “The Prevent scheme’s central aim is to reduce the overall terror threat and maximise public safety. At the moment, it is failing.
“It is vital that the UK is not paralysed by political correctness and identity politics when it comes to holding hard-headed discussions on the prevailing threat of Islamist extremism.”
Bomber bruv flits
THE elder brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber has fled the UK after he was summoned to appear at the public inquiry into the 2017 terror attack.
Ismail Abedi, 28, has always refused to answer questions about why Salman, 22, detonated the device at an Ariana Grande concert.
Ismail was ordered to attend tomorrow but there’s “no indication” when he will return.
Paul Greaney QC said he “clearly has evidence and we urge him to make contact”.