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Islamic school funds investigated Islamic school funds investigated
(10 minutes later)
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has rejected claims of any "inappropriate use of public funds" in payments to two independent Muslim schools.Schools Secretary Ed Balls has rejected claims of any "inappropriate use of public funds" in payments to two independent Muslim schools.
Conservative leader David Cameron had asked the prime minister to examine the funding of schools which he claimed had links to a radical Islamic group.Conservative leader David Cameron had asked the prime minister to examine the funding of schools which he claimed had links to a radical Islamic group.
"Where there is abuse it will be investigated," Mr Brown replied."Where there is abuse it will be investigated," Mr Brown replied.
But Mr Balls says there is no evidence either of the schools, in Haringey and Slough, do not meet required standards.But Mr Balls says there is no evidence either of the schools, in Haringey and Slough, do not meet required standards.
"We take the issue of ensuring there is no extremist teaching in both maintained and independent schools very seriously," says Mr Balls."We take the issue of ensuring there is no extremist teaching in both maintained and independent schools very seriously," says Mr Balls.
Mr Balls also highlighted the fact that the Islamic group at the centre of the allegation, Hizb ut-Tahrir, was not a banned organisation.Mr Balls also highlighted the fact that the Islamic group at the centre of the allegation, Hizb ut-Tahrir, was not a banned organisation.
FundingFunding
Mr Cameron, speaking in the House of Commons, had accused the government of allowing the funding of extremism.Mr Cameron, speaking in the House of Commons, had accused the government of allowing the funding of extremism.
"How can you have an anti-extremist fund that results in a Labour local authority handing out money to extremists?""How can you have an anti-extremist fund that results in a Labour local authority handing out money to extremists?"
"They have secured a total of £113,000 of government money, some of which was from the Pathfinder scheme, whose objective is meant to be preventing violent extremism.""They have secured a total of £113,000 of government money, some of which was from the Pathfinder scheme, whose objective is meant to be preventing violent extremism."
In response, Mr Brown promised to examine this "very, very carefully".In response, Mr Brown promised to examine this "very, very carefully".
Mr Cameron said the Conservatives had been seeking replies from the government over funds given to the two schools, run by the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation.Mr Cameron said the Conservatives had been seeking replies from the government over funds given to the two schools, run by the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation.
'No evidence''No evidence'
In a letter, the Conservative schools spokesman, Michael Gove, had asked about alleged links between the schools, the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation, and Hizb ut-Tahrir.In a letter, the Conservative schools spokesman, Michael Gove, had asked about alleged links between the schools, the Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation, and Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Haringey council says funding for one of these schools has already been suspended, pending an investigation. He also claimed he could find no record the schools were properly registered or had been inspected by Ofsted.
In reply, Mr Balls gave links to the published registration entries and gave details of Ofsted's reports.
He said both schools had been inspected in 2007 and found to be meeting "the independent school standard for the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils".
He added: "In those and subsequent inspections, no evidence has been found to support allegations that the schools are teaching anti-Semitic or anti-Western values."
Nor was there any evidence the schools were using public funding to "further radical Islamist aims" as Mr Gove had alleged.
'Links'
Haringey council has said that funding for one of these schools has been suspended, pending an investigation.
But so far the council said that "no evidence was found to suggest inappropriate content or influence in the school".But so far the council said that "no evidence was found to suggest inappropriate content or influence in the school".
It also reports that the school has written to the council to say it "no longer has any links with any of the individuals who are alleged to have connections with Hizb ut-Tahrir".It also reports that the school has written to the council to say it "no longer has any links with any of the individuals who are alleged to have connections with Hizb ut-Tahrir".
"We are waiting for evidence from the school that the reported connections have been completely severed," says a statement from the council."We are waiting for evidence from the school that the reported connections have been completely severed," says a statement from the council.
In the Commons the Conservative leader also challenged Mr Brown as to why he had not banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, which describes itself as a "global Islamic political organisation".In the Commons the Conservative leader also challenged Mr Brown as to why he had not banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, which describes itself as a "global Islamic political organisation".
Mr Brown said that "proscription should be on the basis of evidence, that was clearly proven, about advocating violence".Mr Brown said that "proscription should be on the basis of evidence, that was clearly proven, about advocating violence".
"That is the position that both parties accepted. That is the position we will continue to follow.""That is the position that both parties accepted. That is the position we will continue to follow."