People who have shaped UK jihadist movement named in new report

Study finds more than two thirds of all British extremists have connections to six core individuals

Six key individuals have shaped the entire British jihadist movement, a new report has indicated.

Research by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change found that more than two thirds – 67 per cent – of British Islamic extremists have links, either directly or indirectly, to a core handful of ideologues.

They include the hate preacher Anjem Choudary, who is suspected of being behind multiple attacks and is currently in prison for supporting ISIL.

The others are: Choudary’s mentor, Omar Bakri Mohammed; Hani Al Sibai, an Egyptian extremist preacher linked to the Muslim Brotherhood who Mr Blair tried to deport almost 20 years ago; Abdullah El Faisal, who was deported to Jamaica in 2007; Abu Qatada, a radical cleric deported to Jordan; and Abu Hamza, who preached at the Finsbury Park mosque and is in jail in the United States.

The research examined the biographies of 113 men from across the UK who had taken part in the jihadist movement, from the 1980s to today.

It found that British extremist groups serve as recruiting pools for the likes of Al Qaeda and ISIL, with more than three quarters – 77 per cent – of the sample having been involved with such groups before turning to jihadism. Some of the networks behind these groups continue to operate today.

The report revealed a wide range of trends. It found that women tend to be radicalised online more than men: at least 44 per cent of the sample of women were partly radicalised online, whereas only 4 per cent of men had an online element noted in their radicalisation.

London dominates British jihadism, according to the research. Forty-nine per cent of the sample were based in the capital.

Many British jihadists are also well educated. Nearly a third of those with degrees studied humanities or social science, and four read Islamic studies. Five dropped out of their course before graduating.

The research also indicated that UK jihadism is a family affair. It said: “Twenty-three per cent of our sample have siblings engaged in jihadi activity, comprising 14 families. Thirty per cent in total have a family link to jihadism.”

Based on its findings, the report makes several recommendations.

It urges educational establishments such as universities and colleges to create environments in which extremist ideas are challenged.

“The majority of Muslims in Britain and farther afield are able and willing to help,” the researchers said. “Educational establishments should equip their students to grapple in a battle of ideas.”

It also argues that the authorities need to work harder to target hubs that spread extremist messaging. Specifically, it says police and regulators should investigate mosques and religious study centres where links are found to several jihadis, examining whether radicalisation is taking place under its auspices.