Suella Braverman blasts 'political correctness' for allowing Islamic extremism to flourish and put national security at risk
Home Secretary Suella Braverman during a visit to Warrington Police Station, Cheshire
Danny Lawson
Political correctness has created a “blind spot” for Islamic extremists to continue to put national security at risk, the Home Secretary has said.
Suella Braverman said the entire concept of political correctness should be eliminated.
Speaking at a counter-extremism conference on Wednesday, the Home Secretary said: “We have a blind spot in the system. It has allowed certain Islamist groups to operate under our radar.
“There can be no place for political correctness in our national security. In fact, I’d like to banish it altogether.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman during a visit to Warrington Police Station, Cheshire
Danny Lawson
Braverman used her speech to announce a new scheme designed at tackling misinformation on the Government’s anti-terror programme, Prevent, along with introducing a new independent standards unit which will help communities report concerns about prevention efforts.
She added: “Extremism is not only dangerous because it can lead to violence.
“It is dangerous in its own right. And unless we deal with it comprehensively, we should not be surprised when it continues to endure and grow — with disastrous consequences.”
After her speech, Braverman tweeted: “Tackling extremism in (the UK) is a vital part of protecting our security.
“I was pleased to speak at a @CommissionCE Countering Extremism conference today & wish to thank @RobinSimcox for his committed work.
“I look forward to further work on this crucial cause to safeguard our country.”
It comes after a long-awaited review into Prevent, which was published last month, recommended a complete overhaul of the anti-terror scheme.
The assessment, led by ex-Charity Commission chairman William Shawcross, found Prevent was “out of kilter with the rest of the counter-terrorism system, and the UK terrorism threat picture” and “must return to its overarching objective: to stop individuals from becoming individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman outside Downing Street
Toby Melville
Speaking to MPs after the publication of the review, Braverman said: “Prevent needs major reform.
"Prevent needs to better understand the threats we face and the ideology underpinning them.
“I will swiftly implement all of the review’s recommendations and will report on my progress a year from now.
“Prevent’s focus must solely be on security, not political correctness.”