This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/17/uk-will-not-ban-muslim-brotherhood-david-cameron-says

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK will not ban Muslim Brotherhood, David Cameron says UK will not ban Muslim Brotherhood, David Cameron says
(35 minutes later)
Having links to the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered a “possible indicator of extremism” but the group will not be banned, David Cameron said. David Cameron has branded members of the Muslim Brotherhood as “possible extremists” but stopped short of immediately banning the group following a long-delayed official inquiry into its activities in Britain.
A long-awaited and diplomatically sensitive review of the group found that parts of the Muslim Brotherhood had a “highly ambiguous relationship with violent extremism”, the prime minister said. The prime minister said the review found the Islamist organisation to have had significant influence in groups claiming to speak for British Muslims. And he added the brotherhood characterised the UK as fundamentally hostile to Muslim faith and identity and had expressed support for terrorist attacks by Hamas.
Although there would be no immediate ban on the group, Cameron said the government would keep it under review to see if it meets the legal test for proscription as a terrorist organisation. “The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism,” Cameron said in a written ministerial statement to MPs. “Parts of the Muslim Brotherhood have a highly ambiguous relationship with violent extremism.”
The review was completed last summer amid calls from allies such as Saudi Arabia for the UK to impose a ban on the group, and ministers have been accused of sitting on the report to avoid upsetting key partners in the Middle East. After the review – undertaken by the former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins – delivered stronger than expected findings, the government will consider taking action against the Muslim Brotherhood under the new counter-extremism strategy and could end up banning it in Britain.
The review was completed last summer amid calls from allies such as Saudi Arabia for the UK to ban the group, and ministers have been accused of sitting on the report to avoid upsetting key partners in the Middle East.
The brotherhood played a leading role in Egypt’s 2011 revolution. It is considered a terrorist organisation by several countries but has also taken part in democratic elections on a peaceful platform.The brotherhood played a leading role in Egypt’s 2011 revolution. It is considered a terrorist organisation by several countries but has also taken part in democratic elections on a peaceful platform.
But Cairo has waged a sweeping crackdown on senior figures from the Islamist group since its leader, Mohamed Morsi, was ousted as president by the military in 2013. Cameron’s statement said individuals closely associated with the group in the UK have supported suicide bombings and other attacks in Israel by Hamas – whose military wing has been proscribed in the UK since 2001 as a terrorist organisation. The group describes itself as the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim Brotherhood.
This is a breaking news story, please check back for further updates The prime minister said the government will ensure “central and local government does not inadvertently provide legitimacy or a platform for extremists”. He added: “We will challenge extremists’ poisonous narratives and promote positive alternatives that show vulnerable people that there are better ways to get on in life.”
That is to include keeping a close watch on the views promoted by Muslim Brotherhood associates in Britain in Arabic and English, as well as their activities.
He said Britain would continue to refuse visas to members and associates of the Muslim Brotherhood who are on record as having made extremist comments.
Government action will focus on fundraising in Britain for the Muslim Brotherhood and ensure that money raised by charities with links to the organisation is not used to finance it.
Lawyers for the Muslim Brotherhood have said that any “undue” criticism of the group will be challenged in the courts.