Government warned over extremism
Downing Street was warned a year before the July 7 London bombings that the Iraq war was fuelling recruitment to extremist Muslim organisations in the UK, it has emerged.
A letter from the Foreign Office’s most senior official said British foreign policy was a “key driver” behind such recruitment.
The memo, leaked to The Observer newspaper, was sent by from Foreign Office Permanent Secretary Michael Jay to Cabinet Secretary Sir Andrew Turnbull and dated May 18 2004.
The letter said a “recurring theme” among the underlying causes of extremism in the Muslim community was “the issue of British foreign policy, especially in the context of the Middle East peace process and Iraq”.
It also warned that the perceived negative effect of the Government’s foreign policy was fuelling anger among younger British Muslims.
“British foreign policy and the perception of its negative effect on Muslims globally plays a significant role in creating a feeling of anger and impotence among especially the younger generation of British Muslims,” the letter stated.
“This seems to be a key driver behind recruitment by extremist organisations.”
A Downing Street spokesman said Number 10 would not comment on leaked documents.
The Government has consistently insisted its belief that the Iraq conflict has not fostered global terrorism.
Following the July 7 London bombings, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw dismissed the possibility of a link between the attacks and the war in Iraq.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Liam Fox condemned the Government’s handling of the conflict as “inept” and criticised ministers for ruling out a connection between the war and recruitment to extremist groups.
“It’s simply not sensible for the Government to say there’s no link,” he told BBC News 24’s Sunday programme.
“What I think is surprising is that the Government deny there’s any link – but the Government’s handling of this has been rather inept politically from start to finish,” added Dr Fox.
