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Reid speech disrupted by hecklers | Reid speech disrupted by hecklers |
(40 minutes later) | |
Home Secretary John Reid has called on British Muslims to do more to help root out potential extremists. | Home Secretary John Reid has called on British Muslims to do more to help root out potential extremists. |
In a speech Mr Reid asked Muslim parents to keep a close eye on their children and act if they suspected they were being radicalised by extremists. | |
The comments reflect government frustration that not enough has been done since the 7 July London bombings. | The comments reflect government frustration that not enough has been done since the 7 July London bombings. |
His speech was interrupted by a Muslim heckler who said he was "furious" about "state terrorism by British police". | His speech was interrupted by a Muslim heckler who said he was "furious" about "state terrorism by British police". |
The protester, believed to be Omar Brookes, otherwise known as Abu Izzadeen, who denies being a member of the banned Al Gurabaa group, accused the minister of being an "enemy" of Islam. | |
Mr Reid, who was speaking in Leytonstone, east London, watched as Mr Brookes was led from the building by police and stewards. | |
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A second heckler was ejected a few minutes later after he also interrupted the speech. | A second heckler was ejected a few minutes later after he also interrupted the speech. |
The man emerged from the venue clutching several posters, one of which said: "John Reid you will pay!" | The man emerged from the venue clutching several posters, one of which said: "John Reid you will pay!" |
The speech was Mr Reid's first to a Muslim audience since he became home secretary in May. | |
During his trip, which also involved a visit to a mosque, he said community and religious leaders could play a key role in the fight against terrorism. | |
The home secretary said "our fight is not with Muslims generally". Instead, he said, there was a "struggle against extremism". | The home secretary said "our fight is not with Muslims generally". Instead, he said, there was a "struggle against extremism". |
"Our battle is with those terrorists who have no respect for human life, equality or the democratic process," he said. | "Our battle is with those terrorists who have no respect for human life, equality or the democratic process," he said. |
The speech came after some Muslim leaders expressed concerns about the UK's foreign policy and called for it to be changed. | |
Mr Reid spoke of there being a "conflict of values" between "terrorists on one side" and most of "modern civilisation" on the other. | |
John Reid asked Muslim parents to keep a close eye on their children | |
Mr Reid did not tell Muslim parents to report their concerns to the police but wants them to confront their children's behaviour and talk to them. | Mr Reid did not tell Muslim parents to report their concerns to the police but wants them to confront their children's behaviour and talk to them. |
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Daniel Sandford said Muslim elders felt their "real concerns" about the points raised by the home secretary had been "spoiled by stupid heckling". | |
In an open letter last month, some Muslims leaders said British foreign policy was putting civilians at increased risk in the UK and abroad. | In an open letter last month, some Muslims leaders said British foreign policy was putting civilians at increased risk in the UK and abroad. |
Mr Reid described the letter, signed by three Muslim MPs, three peers and 38 organisations, as a "dreadful misjudgement". | Mr Reid described the letter, signed by three Muslim MPs, three peers and 38 organisations, as a "dreadful misjudgement". |
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government alone could not root out extremism in Muslim communities and defeat the terrorism it creates. | Earlier this year, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government alone could not root out extremism in Muslim communities and defeat the terrorism it creates. |
After the 7 July attacks last year, ministers organised national roadshows targeting fanaticism. | After the 7 July attacks last year, ministers organised national roadshows targeting fanaticism. |