Theresa May will appoint anti-extremism chief to crack down on terror and root out radical hate-mongers
The new Commission for Countering Extremism will be more proactive in promoting British values of fairness and tolerance
THERESA May is to appoint an anti-extremism czar to root out hate-mongers before they turn to terrorism.
The PM has decided to confront the menace of radical Islam head-on after telling aides: “Enough is enough.”
She will set up a Whitehall commission with sweeping powers to identify festering evil and nip it in the bud.
Mrs May’s tough new initiative comes as her hard stance against terror saw her open up a 14-point lead over Labour in an ICM poll for The Sun on Sunday.
After the Manchester bomb outrage, she admits governments have failed to respond to twisted messages being peddled at vulnerable young men.
She believes passing more laws is not the answer and will launch an offensive to shout down the enemy within their own backyard.
The new Commission for Countering Extremism will be more proactive in promoting British values of fairness and tolerance.
It will be given proper teeth and a clear remit with a legal responsibility to identify extremism — and support groups and individuals standing up to it.
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Mrs May, unveiling her plan in The Sun on Sunday, said yesterday: “We need to be stronger and more resolute in standing up to these people.”
A boss with experience of running major national campaigns is being sought to run the new body.
He or she will help train schools, colleges and community groups to spot the warning signs and stamp out extremism — as they have with racism.
The body will tackle non-violent extremism which is often the gateway to terrorism.
It will stand up for women’s rights, crack down on FGM and ensure equality is upheld in all communities.
Mrs May said: “Britain is one of the world’s most successful multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural societies.
“But our enjoyment of diversity must not prevent us from confronting the menace of extremism, even if that is sometimes embarrassing or difficult to do.”