'Islamism may have spread to schools beyond Birmingham' warns investigator

Ex counterterrorism chief Peter Clarke has warned that the investigation into the Trojan Horse scandal in Birmingham schools has so far revealed just "the tip of the iceberg".

"Of course the Government hasn't got to the bottom of the Trojan Horse affair, nowhere near it," he said.

"You haven't got to the bottom of it until you've proved or disproved whether there is something similar happening elsewhere."

According to the Telegraph, there are concerns that Islamism "is flaring up again and broadening its reach" in UK schools.

A government report released in July revealed a "coordinated, deliberate and sustained action to introduce an intolerant and aggressive Islamist ethos".

According to Clarke, the inquiry found a "sustained and coordinated agenda to impose upon children in a number of Birmingham schools the segregationist attitudes and practices of a hard-line and pollicised strain of Sunni Islam".

"Left unchecked, it would confine children within an intolerant, inward-looking monoculture that would severely inhibit their participation in the life of modern Britain," he said.

Clarke has now countered a recent claim by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan that the government has "got to the bottom of the issue".

"What I put in my report was the tip of the iceberg. There is a huge amount of material which I didn't put in. I deliberately focused on what appeared to be the epicentre. There were problems elsewhere which I couldn't evidence sufficiently in the time available," Clarke has said.

"You've got to look at the roles of Birmingham City Council and the unions and you've got to see where else Tahir Alam [the alleged ringleader] had influence."

A further incident last week at a school inspected during the inquiry last week has increased Clarke's concerns.

Police were called to Welford School in Handsworth after parents complained about course material that challenged homophobia.

"You can't just draw a line after a very brief investigation and say it's job done. The proof will be in what action is taken," Clarke said.

related articles
Danger of extremism in UK nurseries, warns Education Secretary
Danger of extremism in UK nurseries, warns Education Secretary

Danger of extremism in UK nurseries, warns Education Secretary

Legal challenge to Government\'s Trojan Horse response is a gospel freedom issue
Legal challenge to Government's Trojan Horse response is a gospel freedom issue

Legal challenge to Government's Trojan Horse response is a gospel freedom issue

Faith schools a \'religious affront\' say coalition of religious leaders
Faith schools a 'religious affront' say coalition of religious leaders

Faith schools a 'religious affront' say coalition of religious leaders

British government to make Muslim schools teach children about Christianity?
British government to make Muslim schools teach children about Christianity?

British government to make Muslim schools teach children about Christianity?

Should faith schools teach more than one religion? Chief Rabbi says no.
Should faith schools teach more than one religion? Chief Rabbi says no.

Should faith schools teach more than one religion? Chief Rabbi says no.

News
More Brits want better palliative care over assisted suicide - poll
More Brits want better palliative care over assisted suicide - poll

A new poll has found greater support among members of the public for improved palliative care than assisted suicide. 

Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending abortion vote in Lords on Wednesday
Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending abortion vote in Lords on Wednesday

The office of the Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed she will be joining a key vote on abortion in the House of Lords this Wednesday after there was backlash over the suggestion she might be absent due to a planned pilgrimage.

Disestablishing Church of England 'will not be a priority' at next election, says Green Party
Disestablishing Church of England 'will not be a priority' at next election, says Green Party

The Green Party has responded to claims it wants to disestablish the Church of England by saying that this will "not be a priority" at the next General Election. 

AI still too inaccurate when it comes to Scripture, says YouVersion founder
AI still too inaccurate when it comes to Scripture, says YouVersion founder

YouVersion founder and CEO Bobby Gruenewald says artificial intelligence holds enormous promise. But when it comes to answering questions about God and Scripture, he believes the technology is not yet ready.