Counter-Extremism Lobby

Britain’s counter-radicalisation programme Prevent is mired in confusion, a former government adviser who was once among its most prominent supporters has said. Dame Sara Khan, previously a counter-extremism commissioner, also criticised the Home Office for failing to implement recommendations in multiple official reports on how to curb the emerging threat, reports PoliticsHome. Khan was an early advocate for the programme, but in an interview with The House, she said there is “genuine confusion about what the purpose of Prevent is”. “There’s a central question to be asked here, which is: what is the role of Prevent? Is it about tackling extremism? Is it about tackling terrorism?” she said. The Home Office has got to be able to answer: ultimately, what is Prevent for? What is its remit and role? Because in my view it is so confused. I’m confused by it. I genuinely don’t know what the role of Prevent is anymore.” Khan […]

Fresh confusion surrounded the future direction of the UK government’s counter-extremism strategy on Tuesday as Home Office ministers were forced to reject the conclusions of a leaked internal review which called for a focus on “behaviours and activity of concern” rather than ideology. Middle East Eye reported that details of the review, which also called for the scope of counter-extremism work to be widened to cover a range of causes and activities including Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), extreme misogyny and a fascination with violence, were published on Monday by Policy Exchange, a right-wing think tank. But on Tuesday it was reported that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper did not agree with the recommendations of her own department’s review and would order the focus of policy to remain directed towards Islamist and far-right extremism. Security Minister Dan Jarvis also said the review was not policy and that the government had no plans to […]

The Home Office is set to appoint a new commissioner to oversee the Prevent strategy, raising fresh questions about the future direction of the controversial counter-terrorism programme, reports Middle East Eye. The creation of the new role, which was announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, appears to signal a change of approach under the new Labour government, and an apparent sidelining of another Home Office-created body previously tasked with oversight of Prevent, the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE). On Tuesday, the Home Office said the new independent Prevent commissioner would be recruited “with the specific remit of reviewing the programme’s effectiveness, identifying gaps and problems before they emerge”. That has led to speculation that current commissioner Robin Simcox’s role could be at risk, and that the creation of the new role could precede more extensive changes to Prevent. Read more on The Middle East Eye.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has vowed to crack down on people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs”, including extreme misogyny, as she announced a new approach to fighting extremism.

If opinion polls are correct and the opposition Labour party sweeps to victory in this year’s election, it could mean significant changes to UK counter-extremism policy. Imran Moolla considers how a Labour government might change the policy.