Thomas Harding

UK’s new national security adviser called for ISIS talks at height of terrorism Jonathan Powell helped bring peace to Northern Ireland with Tony Blair and is welcomed by leadership as 'an excellent choice'

November 8, 2024 Thomas Harding and Paul Carey

(National-UAE) Britain’s new national security adviser argued that the West should negotiate with ISIS extremists to bring peace to the Middle East. Jonathan Powell, who was former prime minister Tony Blair’s chief of staff, was a leading player in bringing a peace […]

Pro-Palestine campaigner sets sights on unseating Labour frontbench MP Shabana Mahmood Solicitor Akhmed Yakoob focused on Gaza to secure election upset against potential UK justice secretary

June 18, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Outsider Akhmed Yakoob believes “this election is mine to lose” as he looks to unseat the most senior frontbench Muslim Labour MP in the July 4 UK general election. Shabana Mahmood stands to become the UK’s justice secretary if her party […]

Rochdale loyalties tested by Galloway’s Labour challenge on Gaza policy Flamboyant MP tells the National his by-election victory was a signal that British Muslims could provide a significant general election upset

June 9, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Rochdale, says its current MP George Galloway, will be remembered as the place where Britain’s Muslims saw that there was a new way of finding a political voice. His view, although bound with self-interest, was certainly borne out during the National’s […]

Anger over Starmer’s Gaza stance dents Labour election glory Opposition thumps Conservatives in local polls, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's leadership may survive his party's losses

May 3, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Labour’s elation at thumping the Conservatives in the England and Wales local elections has been tempered by concern that it is losing key voter blocs, particularly in Muslim communities, over its stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Labour’s attempt to unseat the […]

Iran influence in London poses threat to British society, report warns Policy Exchange paper names Islamic Centre of England as 'UK nerve centre' for Tehran's campaign

April 14, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Iran’s malign influence in the UK poses a “multidimensional threat to British society” with the government being urged to take urgent action to counter it, an influential think tank has stated. The paper, which was written before Iran’s missile attack on […]

UK terror attack fears heightened by Israel-Gaza war Reports of 'extremist chatter' at highest levels since 9/11 with Britain becoming a target, reports suggest

March 3, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Britain is facing a significant threat of terrorist attacks with the Israel-Gaza war leading to an increased likelihood of violence, it has been reported. The amount of “extremist chatter” is said to be at levels not seen since the aftermath of […]

Dissidents in London on high terror alert despite sanctions on Iran’s IRGC 'We have to be lucky all the time,' say UK-based journalists under threat from Tehran

January 30, 2024 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Vigilance against threats from Iran has increased significantly despite sanctions being imposed, journalists threatened by Tehran have told the National. Officials at the London-based Iran International TV channel, which has found itself in Tehran’s crosshairs, say they “have to be lucky […]

‘Threat-board flashes red’ over Gaza radicalisation spilling into Europe Continued Israeli military operation is driving more people into the arms of extremists, experts tell the National

December 22, 2023 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Widespread terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in Europe are a genuine prospect as a result of the mounting deaths in Gaza, security analysts have told the National. While increased state surveillance has made it difficult to mount spectacular attacks such as […]

Downing Street confirms ban on Muslim Council of Britain contacts New controversy surrounds Penny Mordaunt after 2021 meeting with MCB

July 18, 2022 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Downing Street has stated that ministers should continue to boycott the Muslim Council of Britain following controversy over a meeting with one of its leaders by Conservative leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt in defiance of the long-standing policy. The trade minister has […]

Muslim Brotherhood threat grows as British government fails to take coordinated stand MP demands formal inter-ministerial engagement on the Muslim Brotherhood.

September 25, 2020 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) Fears have been raised that a lack of coordination within the British government is allowing the Muslim Brotherhood threat to grow. Whitehall has admitted that there is no central planning between key departments in dealing with the organisation that is proscribed […]

British government to prosecute Hezbollah flag wavers at online protests Supporting the organisation in the UK carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail

May 21, 2020 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) The British government warned it will prosecute protesters who break the law if Hezbollah flags are displayed in online demonstrations. In a change of policy in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the Home Office announced to the National that it will […]

British government asked to account for rise in Muslim Brotherhood activity MP Andrew Rosindell calls for international action to stop the group exploiting coronavirus downturn

April 29, 2020 Thomas Harding

(National-UAE) A senior British politician has demanded international action to prevent extremists taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis to “exploit” vulnerable people. Andrew Rosindell has raised his concerns at the highest level of British government, asking ministers to answer questions over the […]