‘Prevent programme should be reviewed’

Government should adopt a definition of anti-muslim prejudice in the same way anti-semitism was formally defined last year, and commission an independent review of its Prevent programme to help Muslims integrate into British society, a new report has found.

More formal partnerships and events across communities are also called for by a major new commission chaired by former attorney general Dominic Grieve.

The commission found a strong sense that Muslims and Islam are “unfairly targeted”, with the fear of discrimination putting off British Muslims from engaging in politics and other aspects of public life.

The anti-extremism Prevent programme was also raised as an issue in every one of the 11 cities the commission visited to gather evidence.

The commissioners said they believe that tackling extremism and radicalisation would be “better achieved with a programme that has greater trust, particularly from the UK’S Muslim communities”.