Tuesday 17 May 2022 12:16 AM Counter-terrorism programme focused too much on far-Right fanatics, report finds trends now
Britain's counter-terrorism programme has focused too much on far-Right fanatics and should now crack down on Islamist extremism, a report has found.
An official review of Prevent – the Government's flagship counter-extremism policy – has found there has been a 'double standard when dealing with extreme Right-wing and Islamism', according to leaked draft extracts.
There were more referrals to Prevent relating to far-Right extremism than to Islamist radicalisation for the first time last year.
The leaked extracts, seen by The Guardian yesterday, are also critical of Prevent-funded community groups and organisations, claiming some 'have promoted extremist narratives, including statements that appear supportive of the Taliban'.
It also warned 'a renewed focus on Islamist extremism is needed, including when individuals do not yet meet the terrorism threshold'.
The review, being carried out by Sir William Shawcross, a former chairman of the Charity Commission who is leading the evaluation into Britain’s flagship deradicalisation programme, also said Prevent was 'carrying the weight' for overstretched mental health services.
Sir William Shawcross, a former chairman of the Charity Commission who is leading the evaluation into Britain’s flagship deradicalisation programme, delivered the long-awaited review to the Home Office last month
Sir David's killer Ali Harbi Ali - who was today sentenced to a whole life order - had been referred to the programme in 2014 but a year later it was concluded he no longer posed a threat
In his draft findings Sir William, a former head of the Charity Commission, said Prevent's first objective – to tackle the causes of radicalisation and respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism – 'is not being sufficiently met'.
The draft also said: 'As a core principle, the government must cease to engage with or fund those aligned with extremism.'
He is said to have finished the long-awaited review, which was delivered to the Home Office at the end of April after long delays.
Sir Peter Fahy, former police lead for Prevent, said the review extracts suggested Sir William's findings were an attempt to 'politicise counter-terrorism policing'.
'There is a danger of policing thought as opposed to the risk of
