British Islamic groups are undermining fight against terror by peddling 'myths' about Prevent campaign, says top Muslim lawyer

• Nazir Afzal said Cage and Prevent Watch were 'distorting' the truth about Prevent
• He slammed the Muslim Council of Britain for 'not addressing' radicalisation
• Mr Afzal recently stepped down from his post at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners

The former chief crown prosecutor and the country's most prominent Muslim lawyer has said British Islamic groups are undermining fight against terror by peddling 'myths' about the Prevent campaign.

Nazir Afzal has claimed an 'industry', of Muslim groups was spreading misinformation about the Prevent strategy, according to The Times.

The scheme was developed by the Home Office in 2003 as part of the Government's CONTEST counter-terrorism strategy.

+3

Nazir Afzal has claimed an 'industry', of Muslim groups was spreading misinformation about the Prevent strategy

+3

He slammed the Muslim Council of Britain (above) who he says did not address radicalisation nor the threat of people going to Syria in the agenda for the annual general meeting last year

It aims to identify people who are at risk of being radicalised and stop them from becoming terrorists or endorse terrorism.

Mr Afzal, who recently stepped down from his position as chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, slammed the Muslim Council of Britain, who he says did not address radicalisation nor the threat of people going to Syria in the agenda for the annual general meeting last year.

The 54-year-old also claimed Cage, an advocacy group, and Prevent Watch, which 'supports communities impacted by prevent', were 'distorting' the truth about counter-radicalisation.

Speaking to the newspaper, he said: 'We all have a responsibility to stand up for British values and the rule of law.'

When discussing the positives of the Prevent strategy, he said: 'It's stopped at least 150 people from going to Syria, 50 of them children.

'It's grassroots — it's not about criminalising and it has an impact but it's constantly undermined by myths that urgently need to be challenged.'

However, over the years the strategy has been slammed by critics for stigmatising Muslims.

Mr Afzal claimed Cage, an advocacy group, and Prevent Watch, which 'supports communities impacted by prevent', were 'distorting' the truth about counter-radicalisation. Above is Cage research director, Asim Qureshi

Last year, the National Union of Teachers raised its concerns over the strategy and called on the Government to withdraw its clause regarding schools.

Since summer 2015, Prevent has obliged teachers to refer to police pupils they suspect of engaging in some sort of terrorist activity or radical behaviour. 

NUT executive member Alex Kenny, speaking at the union's annual conference in Brighton, said: 'We want to keep children safe from those organisations who promote hatred and violence. But there are limits to what we can do, and Prevent is making that harder.

'Four thousand referrals in the last 18 months is not a sign that the strategy is working, it's a sign that the strategy is flawed.'

In an appeal to Government, he said: 'Listen to what we are saying, think about what we are saying, and stop what you are doing.' 

The MailOnline has contacted the Muslim Council of Britain, Cage and Prevent Watch for a comment.

Read more:

• ‘Myths’ by Muslims hit Prevent campaign to fight terror | News | The Times & The Sunday Times