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Britain’s counter-terror strategy faces potential disruption as a leaked internal report commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper draws criticism for potentially diverting attention from radical Islamism while broadly labeling public concerns as “far-right” extremism.
The document, titled ‘Understand’ and commissioned following the Southport child murders and subsequent anti-migration protests, has been obtained by Policy Exchange think tank. The report’s contents reveal concerning recommendations for dramatically expanding the security services’ scope.
Among its controversial positions, the report classifies public concerns about differential policing practices as “right-wing extremist narrative,” despite widespread public recognition of this issue. Policy Exchange highlighted the dangers of this approach, noting: “There is an obvious risk here of tarring significant swathes of the public as Far Right. A similar danger may exist through the [review] categorising the Far Right as ‘hijacking extant local grievances about perceived inequalities around access to resources’.”
Yvette Cooper’s review is complete nonsense
It is not “extremist” or “far right” to comment on policing or to campaign against rape gangs
It’s called free speech
Whether you agree or not with what’s said, free speech is a fundamental right in this country pic.twitter.com/snfV1x4WIs
— Chris Philp MP (@CPhilpOfficial) January 28, 2025
The report’s handling of grooming gang cases has also sparked controversy. It diminishes the significance of organized sexual abuse by Pakistani-heritage groups, characterizing public concern as merely: “Right-wing extremists frequently exploit cases of alleged group-based sexual abuse to promote anti-Muslim sentiment as well as anti-government and anti-‘political correctness’ narratives.”
Policy Exchange identified inconsistencies in the report’s approach to gender-based violence. While extensively discussing “extreme misogyny” related to online communities, it largely overlooks the severe violence against women perpetrated by grooming gangs.
The document recommends shifting away from focusing on specific ideological threats like Islamic or right-wing extremism, instead advocating for an “agnostic” approach centered on concerning behaviors. This recommendation comes alongside mentions of various forms of extremism, including Hindu extremism, anarchism, and radical environmentalism.
Critics argue this approach could overwhelm intelligence services with minor cases while potentially missing serious threats. Policy Exchange warns the proposals could undermine focus on Islamism, which they consider the primary national security threat.
'The government can't get away with this'
Jacob Rees-Mogg reacts to a leaked Home Office report commissioned by Yvette Cooper that 'insulted' grooming gang victims and downplayed the Islamist threat while arguing for a clampdown on the 'far-right'. pic.twitter.com/PCBcPl4oeN
— GB News (@GBNEWS) January 28, 2025
The report also advocates expanding Non-Crime Hate Incidents recording, despite existing controversies around these records. Policy Exchange noted these records, which affect employment prospects despite lacking criminal convictions, are “intensely controversial, criticised as a waste of police time, an avenue for malicious complaints and chilling to free speech… NCHIs have been recorded against children after playground disputes and journalists who have used ‘outdated language.'”
Following public disclosure of the report’s contents, Cooper’s office quickly distanced itself from its findings. A spokesperson told The Guardian: “Ministers have rejected this advice… Ideology, particularly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism, continue to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and counter terror. But as the horrific Southport attack shows, alongside that we also need more action on those drawn towards mixed ideologies and violence-obsessed young people.”
This development coincides with recent government initiatives to address knife crime through increased purchasing restrictions, despite such items’ ubiquitous presence in households.