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Security chief urges Met to sack 'terrorist'
Benedict Moore-Bridger16.12.08
FORMER Intelligence chief Baroness Neville-Jones today put pressure on Scotland Yard to sack one of its anti-terrorism advisers after it emerged he is wanted by Interpol for terror offences.
Mohamed Ali Harrath, 45, has been wanted in his native Tunisia for the past 16 years for co-founding the Tunisian Islamic Front - an alleged terrorist organisation - and has been accused of seeking help from Osama bin Laden.
In London, Mr Harrath is chief executive of the Islam Channel and has been advising the Met on countering Islamist extremism.
But Lady Neville-Jones, who chaired the Joint Intelligence Committee and is a shadow security minister, said: "Unless and until the Interpol red notice is removed it seems quite wrong that Mohamed Ali Harrath should be employed as a [Met] adviser.
Mr Harrath has admitted setting up the TIF but said it was a "non-violent political party founded in 1986 to oppose the one-party state in Tunisia", and that "revolution" is not necessarily "a dirty word".
Reader views (7)
Poacher turned gamekeeper?
- Liberal Thinker, UK
Elcetion time please?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
Whats a joker! People thought he was a honest lad...
Why is he allowed to run any channel?
- Abu Harrith, London
Here we have an immigrant with an Interpol red notice, the highest security alert, and he gets let into the country and then given citizenship and the unique position to advise Scotland Yard. If he gets in so easily, how many hundreds of thousands of those with terrorist affiliations are roaming our streets with the Home Office and Police oblivious to reality? The UK must work closely with our allies on the anti-terrorist front and Tunisia is one such ally, and this person is wanted by Tunisia on very serious terrorist charges. Incredibly, the UK government has refused to deport him over the last 16 years much to the consternation and frustration of the Tunisian government and Interpol. Scotland Yard and the Home Office are not fit for purpose.
- Ralph, London, England
Is there really anything to debate here? What's next? Arsonists working in the fire department? Paedophiles guarding schools?
- R.M., London, UK
Surely not? We should draft him as Blairs successor, after all, he has an intimate knowledge of hoe terrorism works.
- Bob, Cheam
Scitland Yard must be the laughing stock of the world. Why have an extradition treaty with Tunisia when they will not send anyone back. I am in my sixties and over the years I have come to the conclusion that there is thing as a tolerant muslim. We all know where so-called British muslims loyalties lie. Their religion comes first well before the interests of this country.
M W Staffs
- M Willis, cannock,England
