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*Thread* It has been amusing to see critics of the appointment of William Shawcross rely on “Claystone”, a thoroughly discredited and now shuttered “think tank”. The Guardian, for example.
Claystone is actually the most cautionary of tales. 1/15 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/26/william-shawcrosss-selection-for-prevent-role-strongly-criticised
Claystone is actually the most cautionary of tales. 1/15 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/26/william-shawcrosss-selection-for-prevent-role-strongly-criticised
Claystone was a front for the camp of Haitham al-Haddad, arguably the UK’s most disgusting hate preacher. Female genital mutilation, anyone? 2/15
The Telegraph shredded Claystone and its report on charities and Shawcross, who ran the Charity Commission at the time.
Bids to cover their tracks and a vexatious complaint to IPSO followed. This is the way with Islamists: lies, lawfare, and the low road. With "friends". 3/15
Bids to cover their tracks and a vexatious complaint to IPSO followed. This is the way with Islamists: lies, lawfare, and the low road. With "friends". 3/15
IPSO backed the newspaper – the complaint was not upheld. The complaint actually helped to make Claystone look even worse, which was nice. 4/15
https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-resolution-statements/ruling/?id=03653-15
https://www.ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-resolution-statements/ruling/?id=03653-15
Claystone had alleged that Shawcross’s Commission was singling out Muslim charities for scrutiny disproportionately.
Actually, the sector was being abused by Islamists to gather extremists in “aid convoys” to Syria as jihadis turned the country into a hell on earth. 5/15
Actually, the sector was being abused by Islamists to gather extremists in “aid convoys” to Syria as jihadis turned the country into a hell on earth. 5/15
Scrutiny was not just in order, but crucial. Counter-terrorism police officers and the security services were all over the convoy scene too in those times, and rightly so.
Let’s look at some of the charities Claystone listed in its report. Their stories are terrifying. 6/15
Let’s look at some of the charities Claystone listed in its report. Their stories are terrifying. 6/15
“Viva Palestina” was George Galloway’s overt Hamas support operation. Three of its participants that we know of subsequently went on to terrorism, including the Islamic State executioner Alexanda Kotey. 7/15 https://twitter.com/habibi_uk/status/1203363663236751360
“Children in Deen” brought the Crawley bomber to Syria. How’s that for “aid”. 8/15
The bomber wasn’t the only charmer using that set. 9/15 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3934380/Islamic-extremist-gang-based-UK-used-aid-convoys-taking-food-medicine-Syrian-children-cover-smuggle-cash-guns-terrorists.html
“Al-Fatiha Global” was another extremist grouping. It shepherded Alan Henning to his death in Syria. 10/15 https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/01/uk-charity-failed-to-safeguard-aid-worker-killed-in-syria-report-alan-henning
“Syria Aid” was found to have engaged in serious misconduct. Its sole trustee was disqualified from being a charity trustee for ten years. 11/15 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charity-inquiry-syria-aid/syria-aid
“Aid Convoy” had links to al-Qaeda and was shut down. Two former trustees were barred from charity work for eight years. 12/15 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/aid-convoy-removed-from-register-and-trustees-disqualified-after-management-failings-put-charity-at-undue-risk-of-associations-with-terrorism
"Islamic Education and Research" is a nasty Islamist preaching outfit. Its Portsmouth volunteer ranks were also a manpower pool for Islamic State. 13/15 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-34855717
Journalists and other critics of Mr Shawcross could have looked up Claystone hiding its agenda, whitewashing these charities, and attacking the officials trying to keep us – and people in the Middle East – safe.
But no.
Or perhaps they did, and didn’t care. 14/15
But no.
Or perhaps they did, and didn’t care. 14/15
Either way, this episode shows that they should not be taken seriously. Above all in these circumstances, which are literally matters of life or death.
Mr Shawcross, by contrast, is not one to be fooled and a very serious man. Congratulations to him for his appointment. 15/15
Mr Shawcross, by contrast, is not one to be fooled and a very serious man. Congratulations to him for his appointment. 15/15
