IHRC: Terror warning a damaging exaggeration

Friday, 10, Nov 2006 12:00

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has warned of the dangers of exaggerating the terror threat facing the UK after the head of MI5 announced it was severe and growing.

Chairman Massoud Shadjareh told politics.co.uk the IHRC was "absolutely astonished" by MI5's warning.

Although the threat level was a concern, he said many aspects of Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller's speech seemed "unbelievable" – particularly the suggestion we could be facing a nuclear threat.

This "exaggeration" was not based on any factual evidence, he argued, warning it was another example of intelligence "going haywire – and the result will be more diversion from solving the real problem".

Mr Shadjareh added: "It is worrying that MI5 – who is supposed to be protecting everyone – can come up with such a statement."

He noted that over 1,000 people had been arrested since 9/11, saying: "Twenty-seven were found guilty – and only ten were Muslim.

"That is ten too many, but nevertheless, let us keep this in perspective."