Targeting Islamism higher priority than redefining extremism

Targeting Islamism should be more of a priority for Michael Gove than redefining extremism, Michael Portillo has said.

The former defence secretary said Mr Gove’s plans for a new definition of extremism would be “counterproductive” as it was likely to be misused by government agencies to crackdown on the wrong people.

Speaking on GB News, he cited how the previous definition of extremism in the counter-terrorism Prevent programme had led to government bodies focusing in a “perverse” way on Right-wing ideology rather than tackling the major threat posed by Islamist extremism.

Instead, he said the Communities Secretary should be seeking to define simpler ideologies such as Islamism to focus government agencies on tackling the extremist threat from the ideology.

“I have a feeling that if he defines that word it is going to lead to more counterproductive activity. What he needs to get hold are the organs of state that are behaving in a perverse way,” he said.

His comments come as Mr Gove prepares to unveil a new broader definition of extremism this week to enable Government, universities, councils and other bodies to ban funding for or engagement with Islamist and Right-wing groups.

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