UK releases review of Muslim Brotherhood

A British government review into Egypt's banned Brotherhood group has concluded that membership of or links to the political group should be considered a possible indicator of extremism, said MENA political editor. MENA obtained a copy of a statement revealing the conclusions of the report in this respect.

The long-delayed review into the organization published on Thursday was first commissioned in April 2014 by Prime Minister David Cameron with a remit to examine whether the group put British national security at risk.

"Parts of the Muslim Brotherhood have a highly ambiguous relationship with violent extremism. Both as an ideology and as a network it has been a rite of passage for some individuals and groups who have gone on to engage in violence and terrorism," Cameron said in a statement, describing the group as "deliberately opaque, and habitually secretive".

Aspects of the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology and activities therefore run counter to British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, equality and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs."

The Prime Minister said the review's findings "support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism".

He continued: "We will therefore keep under review the views that are promoted and activities that are undertaken by Muslim Brotherhood associates in the UK, in Arabic as well as English.

Sources: MENA