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Kelly denies Muslims 'demonised' Kelly denies Muslims 'demonised'
(about 5 hours later)
Ruth Kelly has rejected claims that the government is "demonising" Muslims, after reports it is to ask universities to spy on student suspects.Ruth Kelly has rejected claims that the government is "demonising" Muslims, after reports it is to ask universities to spy on student suspects.
The communities secretary said many groups understood the need to work in a new way to "face up to" the threat.The communities secretary said many groups understood the need to work in a new way to "face up to" the threat.
She urged council chiefs to help battle extremism - saying it was an issue for all communities, not just Muslims.She urged council chiefs to help battle extremism - saying it was an issue for all communities, not just Muslims.
But she denied reports universities would be urged to spy on individual students suspected of extremism.But she denied reports universities would be urged to spy on individual students suspected of extremism.
A report in the Guardian newspaper said lecturers and staff would be asked to watch Muslim students suspected of involvement in extremism - and report them to Special Branch.A report in the Guardian newspaper said lecturers and staff would be asked to watch Muslim students suspected of involvement in extremism - and report them to Special Branch.
"I don't recognise the way in which that work has been portrayed," she told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme."I don't recognise the way in which that work has been portrayed," she told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme.
"This is not about picking on individual students or even spying on them, it's about sensible monitoring of activities to make sure individual students on campuses are protected.""This is not about picking on individual students or even spying on them, it's about sensible monitoring of activities to make sure individual students on campuses are protected."
Why women wear the veil Children speak out on veilsWhy women wear the veil Children speak out on veils
But Ms Kelly said that the guidelines were still being worked out, in discussion with universities, and it was important to "strike the right balance". Ms Kelly said that the guidelines were still being worked out, in discussion with universities, and it was important to "strike the right balance".
It followed comments from University and College lecturers' union joint leader Paul Mackney, that they were concerned about being "sucked into a kind of anti-Islamic McCarthyism".It followed comments from University and College lecturers' union joint leader Paul Mackney, that they were concerned about being "sucked into a kind of anti-Islamic McCarthyism".
The government continues to face criticism from Islamic groups over the issue of whether Muslim women who wear full face veils are hindering integration, sparked by comments by Commons leader Jack Straw. The government continues to face criticism from Islamic groups over whether Muslim women who wear full face veils are hindering integration, sparked by comments by Commons leader Jack Straw.
And at the weekend minister Phil Woolas angered Muslim groups by calling for 23-year-old Aishah Azmi - a Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil - to be sacked. Minister Phil Woolas angered Muslim groups by calling for a Muslim teaching assistant suspended for refusing to remove her veil to be sacked.
Find out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphicsFind out about different styles of Muslim headscarfIn graphics
The head of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari, has written to Ms Kelly, claiming that a recent "drip feed" of ministerial statements over the issue has "stigmatised" the entire Muslim community.The head of the Muslim Council of Britain, Muhammad Abdul Bari, has written to Ms Kelly, claiming that a recent "drip feed" of ministerial statements over the issue has "stigmatised" the entire Muslim community.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What is happening, especially in the last few months, has been a barrage of demonisation of the Muslim community to such an extent that the community is now scared and the whole community feels vulnerable."He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What is happening, especially in the last few months, has been a barrage of demonisation of the Muslim community to such an extent that the community is now scared and the whole community feels vulnerable."
Ex-minister John Denham has also said recent pronouncements had looked "like a barrage of general criticism" against Muslims. Nick Clegg, for the Lib Dems, said the government could not "harangue" Muslims to do its bidding, while simultaneously creating resentment through its foreign policy and security legislation.
But Ms Kelly denied being heavy handed and said that the government valued the contribution of British Muslims to society. But in a letter to Muhammad Abdul Bari, Ms Kelly said it was "absolutely untrue" to suggest the government would only engage with groups who agree with it on issues like foreign policy.
"The majority [of Muslim groups] know that we are committed to working closely with them and value their contribution," she said.
HAVE YOUR SAY Wearing the veil is a personal choice Kevin, Blackpool Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Wearing the veil is a personal choice Kevin, Blackpool Send us your comments
But Nick Clegg, for the Lib Dems, said the government could not "harangue" Muslims to do its bidding, while simultaneously creating resentment through its foreign policy and security legislation. She said she was supported by several Muslim organisations, and her door was open to any group showing a genuine commitment to tackling extremism.
"It's as if the government is sort of reaching out with one hand, and taking with the other," he told the BBC. "This can be done without having to agree with the government on every issue. Protecting freedom of speech is one of the key principles I am setting out to defend by isolating extremists," she wrote.
Earlier Ms Kelly told a meeting of local authority officials the battle against extremism in the UK was the biggest security issue for local communities and should be fought by everyone - not just Muslims. On Monday Ms Kelly told a meeting of local authority officials the battle against extremism in the UK was the biggest security issue for local communities and should be fought by everyone - not just Muslims.
She told representatives from 20 councils and senior police officers at the meeting: "This is not just a problem for Muslim communities.
"The far right is still with us, still poisonous, still trying to create and exploit divisions.
"Extremism is an issue for all of us. We all must play our part in responding to it."
She urged the councils to respond to the ways the world has changed since the 11 September attacks on the US and the 7 July bombings in London.She urged the councils to respond to the ways the world has changed since the 11 September attacks on the US and the 7 July bombings in London.