Blair: We must combat poisonous propaganda

Friday, 10, Nov 2006 12:00

Tony Blair has said Britain faces a "very long and deep struggle" against those trying to "pervert the minds of young people".

Agreeing with Eliza Manningham-Buller, the head of MI5, who yesterday warned of a serious" and "growing" terror threat, the prime minister said it was a "very real" threat.

Pointing to terror attacks around the world, he warned: "This is a threat that has grown up over a generation."

Terrorism could only be "combated" by a combination of "proper measures on security", and by making sure "we take on and combat the poisonous propaganda of those people that warp and pervert the minds, particularly of younger people", Mr Blair stressed.

"The values that we hold dear in this country, that are about democracy and tolerance and liberty and respect for people of other faiths are the values that will defeat those of hatred and division and sectarianism," he added.