Cameron brands some muslim brotherhood factions as 'possible extremists'

British Prime Minister David Cameron has branded some factions of the Muslim Brotherhood as “possible extremists” but stopped short of immediately banning the group following a long-delayed official inquiry into its activities in Britain, The Guardian reported Thursday.

The prime minister said the review found the organization to have had significant influence in groups claiming to speak for British Muslims.

“The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism,” Cameron said in a written ministerial statement to MPs.

“Parts of the Muslim Brotherhood have a highly ambiguous relationship with violent extremism.”

After the review – undertaken by the former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins – delivered stronger than expected findings, the government will consider taking action against the Muslim Brotherhood under the new counter-extremism strategy and could end up banning it in Britain.

The review was completed last summer amid calls from allies for the UK to ban the group, and ministers have been accused of sitting on the report to avoid upsetting key partners in the Middle East.

Cameron’s statement said individuals closely associated with the group in the UK have supported suicide bombings and other attacks in Israel by Hamas – whose military wing has been proscribed in the UK since 2001 as a terrorist organization. The group describes itself as the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The prime minister said the government will ensure “central and local government does not inadvertently provide legitimacy or a platform for extremists”. He added: “We will challenge extremists’ poisonous narratives and promote positive alternatives that show vulnerable people that there are better ways to get on in life.”

That is to include keeping a close watch on the views promoted by Muslim Brotherhood associates in Britain in Arabic and English, as well as their activities.

He said Britain would continue to refuse visas to members and associates of the Muslim Brotherhood who are on record as having made extremist comments.
Government action will focus on fundraising in Britain for the Muslim Brotherhood and ensure that money raised by charities with links to the organization is not used to finance it.

Lawyers for the Muslim Brotherhood have said that any “undue” criticism of the group will be challenged in the courts.

Sources: MENA