Leading counter-terror and extremism experts, including three former Conservative home secretaries, have warned senior politicians against using extremism to score political points, as the communities secretary, Michael Gove, prepares to announce his controversial new anti-extremism plan.
Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd are among a dozen signatories to a joint statement warning about the risks of politicising anti-extremism, just days before the communities secretary unveils his proposals.
Others who signed the statement include Brendan Cox, the widower of the MP Jo Cox and co-founder of Survivors Against Terror, Neil Basu, the former head of counter-terrorism policing, and Richard Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff.
The warning comes days before Gove is set to publish the government’s new official definition of extremism, which critics say will be so broad that it risks exacerbating community tensions and leaves ministers open to legal challenge.
The statement said: “In the run-up to a general election, it’s particularly important that that consensus is maintained and that no political party uses the issue to seek short-term tactical advantage.
“We urge the Labour party and the Conservative party to work together to build a shared understanding of extremism and a strategy to prevent it that can stand the test of time, no matter which party wins an election.”
Patel told the Guardian: “It is really important that we do not malign the wrong people through the wrong definitions. We haven’t seen anything yet from the government, but it is easy, as we have seen historically, to hide behind labels or definitions which sometimes end up being counterproductive.
“None of this should ever be political. It has to strike the right balance between free speech and how we bring communities together.”
Her warning was echoed by Jonathan Hall, the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. Hall did not sign the statement, but told the Guardian: “The proposed definition of extremism is very loose. It’s not being debated in parliament and effectively it is a government label. The distinction from the way we deal with terrorism couldn’t be clearer.”
Gove’s new definition of extremism will classify individuals or groups as extremist if they seek to undermine Britain’s system of liberal democracy. The communities secretary is set to instruct ministers and officials to cut off contact with groups or individuals who breach the new definition, and local authorities are expected to follow suit.
Gove told the Sunday Telegraph this weekend that he would seek to define extremism less by the actions of groups under scrutiny than by their underlying ideology. “The definition will … give practitioners more specificity on the ideologies, behaviour and groups of concern to support vital counter-radicalisation work,” he said.
Gove has sought to present the new strategy in the light of the protests that have gripped the country since the 7 October attack by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza.
He singled out pro-Palestinian protesters for criticism in his interview with the Sunday Telegraph, focusing attention particularly on those who use the slogan “From the river to the sea”. “Let’s be clear that there is a difference between a cry for peace and the legitimisation of an extremist position which intimidates and leads to hate,” he said.
Earlier this month, the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, gave a speech outside Downing Street in which he warned that there were “forces here at home trying to tear us apart”.
The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, endorsed Sunak’s comments, saying: “The prime minister is right to advocate unity and to condemn the unacceptable and intimidatory behaviour that we have seen recently.”
However, Hall warned against focusing on ideology rather than action. “The proposed policy is about ideology,” he said. “But a lot of respected scholars and thinkers would say you go after action, because ultimately what matters is if someone acts violently or encourages violence.”
The Observer revealed on Sunday that senior figures inside the government had warned Gove against pushing ahead with his plan to announce the new definition without consulting community groups or faith leaders.
An internal briefing paper admitted that doing so would leave the government “at greater risk of legal challenge”, while others in government believe Gove is rushing out the proposals in the hope of damaging Labour ahead of a general election campaign.
Cox, whose wife Jo was murdered in 2016 by a far-right extremist, told the Guardian: “Whatever the temptations, you can’t play politics around this. Tying it to the election timetable is the wrong approach.”
The government has announced that more than £117m will be used to protect mosques, Muslim schools and community centres from hate attacks over the next four years.
James Cleverly, the home secretary, said the money, which will be spent on measures including CCTV cameras, alarms and fencing, would give “reassurance and confidence to UK Muslims”.
The announcement follows a £70m package for Jewish groups and comes in response to concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza is fuelling division in the UK.
As Gove prepares to release his plan, he has been hit by the news that Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of the anti-Islamophobia project Tell Mama, will not become the new anti-Muslim hatred leader.
Mughal was due to be unveiled in his new role on Monday, but told the Guardian on Sunday he had decided not to accept after receiving abuse online from extremist groups.
He denied a report that he had been blocked by Downing Street amid accusations he previously suppressed a review of the Conservative party’s links with far-right groups.
A government spokesperson said: “We are taking action to ensure that no extremist organisations or individuals are being given a platform by their actions and interactions with government. We will set out further details shortly.”
The letter in full
Keeping citizens safe is the first responsibility of government. So dealing with extremism is essential given the real threats from Islamist extremists, far right extremists and others.
It requires as broad a consensus as possible if we are to be successful in marginalising and defeating it.
In the run up to a general election it’s particularly important that that consensus is maintained and that no political party uses the issue to seek short term tactical advantage.
We urge the Labour Party and the Conservative party to work together to build a shared understanding of extremism and a strategy to prevent it that can stand the test of time, no matter which party wins an election.
Our country is most effective in tackling extremism when it does it together.
Neil Basu, QPM Former head of counter terrorism policing
Rt Hon Amber Rudd Former home secretary
The Lord Dannatt GCB, CBE, MC Former chief of the general staff
Brendan Cox Co-founder of Survivors Against Terror
Lord Walney Government advisor on political violence and disruption
Rt Hon Priti Patel Former home secretary
Lord Mann Independent advisor to the government on anti-semitism
Dame Sara Khan Government independent advisor for social cohesion
Dame Louise Casey DBE, CB Former reviewer of Social Cohesion
Rt Hon Prof John Denham Former communities secretary and chair of the home affairs select committee
Sir Sajid Javid Former home secretary and chancellor
Sunder Katwala Director of British Future
