This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/theresa-may-to-ban-radical-preachers-and-organisations-from-schools-10128532.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Theresa May to ban radical preachers and organisations from schools Theresa May to ban radical preachers and organisations from schools
(about 3 hours later)
Radical preachers and campaign groups which advocate extreme – but legal – opinions are to be outlawed from involvement with public sector bodies including schools, Theresa May announced today. The Home Secretary has been accused of a McCarthy-style witch-hunt after proposals were announced that would see radical preachers and campaign groups expressing extreme but legal opinions being outlawed from involvement with public sector bodies including schools.
The Home Office is compiling a “banned list” of individuals and organisations in an effort to avoid a repeat the “Trojan horse” affair in which Birmingham schools were infiltrated by hardline Islamists. Theresa May said Whitehall was drawing up a “banned list” of individuals and organisations in an effort to avoid a repeat of the “Trojan horse” affair in which Birmingham schools were infiltrated by hardline Islamists. The move brought charges of McCarthyism where people with views unpalatable to mainstream thought would be targeted.
The move has been agreed by the Cabinet. Mrs May also set out a range of other plans for thwarting the spread of extremist ideology amid fears that it is leading to the radicalisation of hundreds of teenagers and young adults. Ms May also set out other plans for thwarting the spread of extremist ideology amid fears that it is responsible for radicalising teenagers and young adults. The measures are likely to be incorporated in the Conservative general election manifesto.
At least 600 British jihadis are believed to have headed to Syria to join the forces of the self-styled Islamic State. More than 600 British jihadis are believed to have headed to Syria to join Isis.
The Home Secretary said a Conservative government would give the authorities the power to shut down mosques which give a platform to “messengers of hate”. The list of banned groups is being compiled by the Home Office’s “extremism analysis unit”. Ms May said it would set out “clearly for the first time with which individuals and organisations the Government and public sector should and should not engage”.
The threshold under which extremist groups are outlawed would be lowered, and individuals would face civil “extremism disruption orders”. She added: “This will make sure nobody unwittingly lends legitimacy or credibility to extremists, and will make it very clear that government should engage with people directly and through their elected representatives – not just through often self-appointed and unrepresentative community leaders.”
Home Secretary Theresa May delivered a speech about tackling extremism in central London on Monday (PA)Home Secretary Theresa May delivered a speech about tackling extremism in central London on Monday (PA)
So-called “extremism officers” would be appointed in prisons to try to combat radicalisation behind bars by Islamist gangs. The Home Secretary had hoped to win Cabinet backing for other measures, but ran into opposition from party colleagues who argued the plans were not yet finalised.
A review would also be ordered into the application of Sharia Law in England and Wales. Outlining proposals for an incoming Tory administration, she said it would give the authorities the power to shut down mosques which provide a platform to “messengers of hate”. The threshold under which extremist groups are outlawed would be lowered, while individuals would face civil “extremism disruption orders”.
The moves would be combined with a “positive campaign to promote British values” and extra money for English language lessons at the expense of translation services. So-called “extremism officers” would be appointed in prisons to try to combat radicalisation behind bars by Islamist gangs and a review ordered into the application of sharia in England and Wales.
Speaking in London, Mrs May said: “To those people who do not want to join this new partnership, to those who choose consciously to reject our values and the basic principles of our society, the message is equally clear. The moves would be combined with a “positive campaign to promote British values” and extra money for English language lessons.
“The game is up. We will no longer tolerate your behaviour. We will expose your hateful beliefs for what they are. Where you seek to spread hate, we will disrupt you. The Muslim commentator Mohammed Ansar attacked the “blacklist” proposal. He claimed that “anti-Muslim McCarthyism” had reached a new low ahead of the general election.
“Where you break the law, we will prosecute you. Where you seek to divide us, we will stand united. And together, we will defeat you.” Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner, tweeted: “UK govt to ban hate preachers. How do you define hate? Danger of McCarthyism. Threat to free speech.” The Islamic Human Rights Commission accused Mrs May of playing  the Islamophobia card and of attempting to “curtail the fundamental rights of Muslims under the pretext of combating extremism”.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow Home Secretary, said: “Every day we hear of more British citizens being groomed, radicalised and trying to travel to Syria to join a vile barbaric organisation.
“Yet Theresa May's strategy has failed to tackle the problem. She has had five years as Home Secretary to do all these things.”