Lord Marlesford urges UK government to reveal status of review on Muslim Brotherhood activities

CAIRO – 1 March 2021: Conservative Life peer Lord Marlesford of the House of Lords have submitted an official question to the British government on the status of a policy review into the Muslim Brotherhood announced in 2014.

In July 2014, the aforementioned review was completed. However, only a summary was published in December 2015.

This summary concluded that: “Muslim Brotherhood ideology and tactics, in this country and overseas, are contrary to our values and have been contrary to our national interests and our national security”.

Lord Marlesford’s question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appointment of Ibrahim Mounir to the role of Acting General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood; and what assessment they have made of any threat posed by his presence (1) to national security, and (2) to their international relations.

Answer to his question: We do not comment on individuals, but the Government keeps under review the views promoted and activities undertaken by the Muslim Brotherhood, including their associates in the UK.

Any allegations of threats to UK national security or misuse of charity funding within the UK are robustly investigated and appropriate action taken.

Lord Marlesford also called on the British government to reveal its future steps regarding conducting new reviews on the Muslim Brotherhood. The government is set to disclose the report of the review on March 9th.

 

Lord Robathan, also a conservative, asked the government “further to the report on Muslim Brotherhood review: main findings, published in December 2015, what recent assessment, if any, they have made of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

The answer was: “The Government remains committed to reviewing any groups or individuals whose actions may pose a national security threat to the UK.”

“These reviews are undertaken on the basis of credible evidence and we will continue to consider any new evidence on the Muslim Brotherhood's activities against the UK's legal thresholds.”

He also asked whether any minister or government representative has met Ibrahim Mounir.

The answer was: “There have been no meetings between Ibrahim Mounir and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials or Ministers since the conclusion of the 2015 Muslim Brotherhood Review.”