Now group that called Jihadi John ‘beautiful man’ is backing Corbyn

JEREMY Corbyn has been praised by the discredited human rights group which described Jihadi John as a ‘beautiful young man’.

A senior figure at Cage said the Labour leader’s criticism of the Government’s Prevent Strategy, which aims to combat Muslim radicalisation, had ‘helped’ their cause.

Ibrahim Mohamoud, spokesman for the group, welcomed Mr Corbyn’s backing for a more ‘compassionate approach’ towards those suspected of extremism.

The Cage member told LBC radio the Labour leader was right to question foreign intervention and point out that the War on Terror was not working.

Last night Tory candidates said the comments showed that Mr Corbyn was ‘unfit to be Prime Minister’ and that it would be a disaster for Britain’s security if he gets the keys to Number 10.

It comes a day after it emerged the Labour leader addressed a rally attended by 300 members of Al Muhajiroun, an extremist group linked to the leader of the London Bridge attacks. Cage was strongly criticised in 2015 after it described Mohammed emwazi, the knife-wielding terrorist involved in the beheadings of Islamic State hostages, as an ‘extremely kind, gentle, beautiful young man’.

The group has also been accused of sympathising with terrorists in the past, and has held master classes for ‘youth’ wanting to circumvent counter-terror legislation.

Three years ago, Mr Corbyn signed a letter suggesting that criticising the ‘invaluable’ group was merely an effort to ‘slur and curtail the work of Muslim charities’.

And in 2012 he was filmed speaking at a rally alongside Cage director Moazzam Begg. Three years later Mr Begg signed a letter to the New Statesman backing his fight to be Labour leader.

Mr Corbyn has attacked Prevent, as counter-productive. And he made a speech after the Manchester bombing, in which he was accused of arguing that British foreign policy had increased the threat of terror attacks at home.

yesterday Mr Mahamoud told LBC that Mr Corbyn was offering an alternative to those who support the War on Terror. ‘The language has helped from Corbyn – I think that’s the biggest contribution he has made in recent years,’ he said.

‘People are saying that here we have an individual… introducing to the debate that there are concerns regarding escalation of foreign intervention. It hasn’t worked over the last few years, the War on Terror. But also the idea that we need to have a compassionate approach – some of these people are genuinely vulnerable, they need support services.’

Mr Mahamoud criticised the Prevent Strategy, saying ‘there is a police element to it, there is an intelligence element’. He added: ‘What we need is more support, we need real safeguarding. There’s no point in saying anyone who criticised Prevent is undermining public safety – that’s insulting.’

Mr Mahmoud later said his organisation was not endorsing any political party, but felt Mr Cor- byn’s policy was worthy of praise. Andrew Bridgen, Tory candidate in north west Lincolnshire, said: ‘There’s no doubt that Jeremy Corbyn is the terrorists’ friend and that he is completely unfit to protect our citizens’ interests.’

Nadine Dorries, Tory candidate for Mid Bedfordshire, said: ‘With friends like this, it shows that Corbyn would be a disaster for Britain’s security.’

A spokesman for Labour said: ‘Jeremy has been very clear that he blames terrorists for terrorism and no one else. He’s also been clear that the current War on Terror is not working.’