British Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an investigation of the Muslim Brotherhood over concerns about its alleged links to violent extremism, his Downing Street office said Tuesday
Cameron has commissioned an internal government review of the “philosophy, activities and impact” on British national interests at home and abroad and the UK’s policy toward the movement.
“The Muslim Brotherhood has risen in prominence in recent years but our understanding of the organization — its philosophy and values — has not kept pace with this,” a Downing Street spokesman said in a written statement.
“Given the concerns now being expressed about the group and its alleged links to violent extremism, it’s absolutely right and prudent that we get a better handle of what the Brotherhood stands for, how they intend to achieve their aims and what that means for Britain.”
The review will be led by Britain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins.
The Brotherhood has long had a presence in London, but there have been reports that a significant number of prominent members have fled to the British capital from Egypt.
Egypt crackdown
Cairo’s military-installed government has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group. Saudi Arabia has followed suit.
The Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928 and despite years of repression remains the largest Islamist movement in the Middle East, having particularly returned to prominence during the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011.
There has been a crackdown on the movement, and ensuing political turmoil, since the army ousted Mohamed Morsy, Egypt’s first democratically elected President, in July.
Egyptian authorities have blamed the Brotherhood for a campaign of violence since then.
