The peer leading an independent review into the controversial Prevent counter-extremism programme called the probe “completely unnecessary” and claimed it was based on a “complete lack of evidence”, it can be revealed.
Lord Carlile made the comments before being appointed to the post earlier this month, when the security minister praised his “independence and rigour”.
Labour has written to the government calling for Lord Carlile’s position to be reconsidered after campaign groups warned his comments had “shattered the credibility of the review from the outset”.
