Four MPs have pulled out of a Commons event with a group accused of “dismissing terrorism” and promoting hostility towards Jews.
Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) claims to help British Muslims engage in the democratic process but Anna Soubry, co-chairwoman of the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims and one of the five MPs advertised as speaking, said she had pulled out because Mend “don’t have the best of reputations”.
Mend’s director of engagement, Azad Ali, wrote that the March attack on parliament, which killed five, was “not terrorism”.
Three of the other MPs due to attend Wednesday’s event, Crispin Blunt, Sir Ed Davey and Joanna Cherry, issued a statement saying: “It has become clear there is controversy over Mend’s record and claims of links between the organisation and extremist views.
“We are concerned that if this event goes ahead the controversy around the organisers will distract from the principal purpose, which is to unite all the communities we represent against Islamophobia.”
Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberavon, said he would still host the meeting but added: “I unconditionally condemn any language that could be construed as divisive, aggressive or contrary to the values we should all cherish. I’ll be asking representatives of Mend to reaffirm their stated commitment to the pluralistic values upon which our parliament and country are founded.”
A report to be published by the Henry Jackson Society think tank says Mend are “Islamists masquerading as civil libertarians” with “highly concerning views on terrorism” who promote “conspiratorial narratives” with “anti-semitic components”.
The chairwoman of Mend’s Manchester working group, Siema Iqbal, said after the Paris attacks that it was “simplistic” to see Isis as “the enemy that must be defeated”.
Tom Wilson, research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, said: “There is a serious issue here about which organisations elected officials are legitimising.”
Iqbal said she had condemned the Paris attacks, adding: “I clearly meant that just focusing on [Isis] isn’t the solution to the problem . . . a holistic approach needs to be taken.” Ali claimed his remarks had been “taken out of [their] overall context”. Mend said it “worked tirelessly to tackle extremism and counter-terrorism”.