Group claims security will be at risk

GAVIN BOBY, a planning lawyer and director of the Law and Freedom Foundation, was approached by a residents’ group opposed to the Islamic centre to act as an adviser and spokesman.

The group, whose Facebook page has been “liked” 100 times, has been at the centre of controversy after using the same name — Golders Green Together (GGT) — as a communal antiextremist movement two years ago.

Mr Boby, known as the “mosquebuster” for his successful campaigns against the establishment of Islamic places of worship across the UK, told the JC that GGT is worried about the effect the centre will have on the “character” of the area.

He said: “Residents are understandably concerned about increased congestion, parking issues, toxic emissions and increased disturbance.

“The group is also understandably concerned about security. One of the reasons they object to the mosque is they know it will transform the area.

“Jewish people only have to look at the Koran and read statements about the annihilation of Jews. It is found in Islamic doctrine and it would be unfair to say this is based in ignorance.

“You also have to look at what is going on at the moment; not just terrorism but antisemitic attacks in the news, and it spikes whenever there is unrest or conflict in the Middle East. It is not fascist to want to point that out.

“I think Jewish people are entirely justified in asking questions. It is not prejudiced; it is prejudiced to deny those questions.”

BEN WEICH