Burnham urges new approach to tackling radicals

ANDY Burnham today calls for a rethink of the Government’s “toxic” anti-terror strategy. The Mayor of Greater Manchester says the Prevent scheme has created resentment in the Muslim community. Speaking after what he described as Manchester’s “darkest hour”, Mr Burnham called for a review of the Government’s approach to tackling radicalisation. He said: “The approach adopted has had potentially negative consequences in that parts of the Muslim community feel they are being placed under suspicion through policies such as Prevent. That can have the reverse effect of becoming an engine for resentment and alienation.” Mr Burnham added: “I want to keep the principles behind Prevent but its name has become toxic in places and it is only going to drive more people into radicalism.” He also warned that some people on the right were trying to use Monday’s atrocity to claim there was an “endemic problem” with the Muslim community.

RETHINK Mayor at scene of Monday’s atrocity