Moves to ban radical Hizb ut-Tahrir Islamist group in UK

27 January 2009

EXCLUVE by Victoria Huntley

MOVES have begun to try and get the radical Hizb ut-Tahrir Islamist group banned in Britain after the ruling group on one local authority in East London voted to get it proscribed.

The Labour members on Tower Hamlets Council agreed last night (Monday) by a casting vote to get the controversial organisation outlawed.

Council cabinet members abstained from the vote, while the rest of the Labour members were split on the issue, inside sources have told the East London Advertiser tonight.

Half voted to get Hizb ut-Tahrir formerly banned, the rest voted against.

Labour Group chairman Carli Harper-Penman used her casting vote, the sources said.

Many felt the controversial organisation was causing strife and division in the community, while others challenged whether an all-out ban might not drive Islamic radicals underground.

The resolution was part of a policy discussion which could go before the next full council meeting on February 9 to be adopted.

If it is voted through, Tower Hamlets could be the first local authority in the country to call on the Home Secretary to put the organisation on the ‘proscribed‘ list—a move that was resisted at the Home Office two years ago.