Doctors say Prevent laws cause mistrust

DOCTORS should not be obliged to refer concerns about suspected terrorists to authorities, their union has ruled.

At its annual meeting, the British Medical Association agreed to support any member who refused to take part in training in the Government’s Prevent scheme.

Doctors said the obligations on them were creating fear and mistrust, and worsening tensions within society. Dr Jackie Appleby, from the Tower Hamlets division, said: “Under the Prevent programme, public sector workers – which is all of us – are required by law to register concerns about people they come into contact with who might be developing extremist ideas.

“The main focus is clearly on Islamic extremism and this builds a climate of fear and mistrust, feeds Islamophobia and leads to racial profiling.”

However, last night MPS defended the Prevent scheme. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “All of us have a responsibility and duty to our fellow citizens to be aware of extremism and report potential threats.”