Hero imam slams Tories’ ‘lacklustre’ hate record

THE imam hailed for his heroism in the Finsbury Park terror attack has slammed the Tories over their “lacklustre” efforts to fight Islamophobia.

Mohammed Mahmoud accused ministers of failing to show “meaningful engagement” with the Muslim community.

He said: “Any community hit by terrorism should see meaningful engagement from the Government.

“But we’re still waiting for that to happen – which is not lost on a community that still feels vulnerable.”

He wants “a bold strategy to combat Islamophobia, as part of a broader effort to challenge the far right”.

Mr Mahmoud was praised when he stopped onlookers attacking extremist Darren Osborne after he drove his van into worshippers outside the North London mosque last year.

A Government spokesman said: “We’re working closely with the survivors of the Finsbury Park attack. Later this year we publish the refreshed Hate Crime Action Plan.”