Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sara Khan appointed chief of counter terrorism commission

The UK government today (25) appointed a women's right campaigner as the new chief of a commission set up to root out extremism in the country and promote British values.

Sara Khan, 37, will head the Commission for Countering Extremism, a body that had been proposed in the wake of the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in May last year which claimed 23 lives and injured hundreds.


"The Commission for Countering Extremism will form a crucial part of this government's work to stop the scourge of extremism in all its forms and Khan is expertly qualified to lead its important work," said home secretary Amber Rudd.

"She will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Commission which will prove vital as it works to identify and challenge extremism and provide independent advice to the government," she noted.

However, there have been some concerns raised over Khan's appointment, which is effective from next month and runs for a three-year period.

Khan, born and raised in the city of Bradford, is a vocal supporter of the government's Prevent strategy, which operates through community groups, local authorities and the police to identify and "divert" those deemed to be at risk of radicalisation.

But the scheme has proved controversial, with claims that it demonises and spies on Muslim communities. A UN Human Rights Council report in 2016 said that the Prevent strategy was "inherently flawed."

Some members of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee fear that Khan "does not accept concerns in the community" around the government's Prevent strategy and is "unable to answer" questions about her own transparency.

Lady Warsi, a Conservative party peer and the first Muslim woman to serve as a British Cabinet minister in the past, said many British Muslims saw Khan as a "mouthpiece" of ministers.

Harun Khan, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "The fight against terrorism requires equal partnership between all parties, including Muslim communities.

"This appointment risks sending a clear and alarming message that the government has no intention of doing so. Sadly it will be seen as a move to placate those small sections of society who see Muslims as foreign, alien, rather than as equal citizens in this country."

But Khan, the co-founder of counter-extremism and gender inequality NGO Inspire, has hit back at her critics promising "zero tolerance to those who promote hate".

"I recognise the scale of the challenge we face in confronting extremism and I am deeply committed to this role. I will create a Commission that is forthright in challenging extremism in the name of our shared values, fundamental freedoms and human rights," she said.

The government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, David Anderson, said: "The idea that she (Khan) is a government stooge is hard to reconcile with her opposition (strongly shared by me) to its ill-advised 2015-16 plans for a counter-extremism bill."

The new commission to be headed by Khan has a remit to support the UK government, the public sector, and civil and wider society to identify and challenge all forms of extremism.

It has been directed to provide the government with impartial, external advice on the tools, policies and approaches needed to tackle extremism; support the public sector, communities and civil society to confront extremism wherever it exists; and promote fundamental, pluralistic British values.

In its initial phase, the commission is expected to produce a strategic assessment of the threat extremism presents as well as the current response and define future structures and work programmes.

More For You

Tibet-quake-Reuters

The earthquake, which struck Dingri County near the Nepal border, was recorded at a magnitude of 6.8 by the China Earthquake Networks Center. (Photo: Reuters)

Earthquake in Tibet kills 95, tremors felt in Nepal and India

AT LEAST 95 people were killed and many buildings collapsed after a powerful earthquake struck China's Tibet region on Tuesday, state media reported. The tremors were also felt in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India.

Videos shared by state broadcaster CCTV showed buildings with walls torn apart and rubble strewn across the ground. Rescue workers were seen helping locals and providing thick blankets to keep them warm in freezing conditions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Islamophobia-iStock

Critics have raised concerns about the potential misuse of this definition. (Representational image: iStock)

Conservatives oppose proposed Islamophobia definition

THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY has called on prime minister Keir Starmer to abandon plans for an official definition of Islamophobia, warning it could undermine free speech and hinder actions against wrongdoing.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticised the proposal, claiming that a "false label" of Islamophobia had obstructed investigations into child abuse grooming gangs involving men of Pakistani heritage.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musk

Musk had previously appeared to back Farage, including posing for a photograph with him last month. (Photo: Getty Images)

Musk says Farage should quit Reform leadership

ELON MUSK has called for Nigel Farage to step down as leader of the Reform UK party, marking a sudden withdrawal of support for the Brexit campaigner by the US billionaire.

"The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes," Musk said on his social media platform X on Sunday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer also condemned the 'poison of the far-right,' referencing threats made against safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer criticises online 'misinformation' after Musk's criticism

KEIR STARMER on Monday criticised those "spreading lies and misinformation" online, following a series of attacks from Elon Musk over historical child rape crimes in northern England.

Speaking to reporters, Starmer said: "Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims, they’re interested in themselves."

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-snow-getty

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in effect across Scotland, Wales, northern England, and the Midlands, valid until midday Monday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Snow, ice, and rain warnings continue amid flood risks

WARNINGS for snow, ice, and rain remain active across the UK, with southern England facing flood risks due to rain and melting snow from milder temperatures.

Over 100 flood warnings have been issued in southern England, where flooding is “expected,” and more than 260 flood alerts are in place across England and Wales, indicating flooding is “possible,” BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less