From the Birmingham Post, “MP Short in banned group row”
Clare Short was under fire again yesterday after she invited an “extremist” Muslim group into the Commons. [note the sneer quotes – RB]
The Birmingham MP hosted a meeting for Hizb utTahrir, which Tony Blair has announced is to be banned under anti-terror laws…
Ms Short was also criticised by gay rights campaigner and former Labour parliamentary candidate Peter Tatchell, who said Hizb ut-Tahrir had sent him death threats.
In an open letter, he said he read with alarm “that you are hosting a meeting of the misogynistic, homophobic and anti-Semitic Muslim fundamentalist group, Hizb utTahrir, at the House of Commons.”
He went on: “If this is true, I am very surprised. Perhaps you are not aware of the true nature of this group, and its anti-democratic and anti-humanitarian goals?”
Mr Tatchell said he had suffered death threats from members of the group in the early to mid 1990s.
Ms Short is known for her outspoken views. In one inter-view two years ago, she condemned terrorist violence as “profoundly, morally wrong” but said al Qaida’s anger was justified…
Harry’s Place has an account by an eye-witness who handed out copies of the HuT constitution to the Parliamentarians. Interesting reading with thanks to GB.