A counter-terrorism think tank has said the new government approach to tackling extremism is a step in the right direction.

Maajid Nawaz, executive director of counter-terrorism think-tank Quilliam, said ”It is good that the Government has recognised that extremism lies at the root of terrorism and that extremism must be tackled as a result,” he said.

”It is also right that the Government has acknowledged the problem of radicalisation at universities and that action is needed against campus hate-preachers.”

But he warned that “muddled thinking” risks undermining the strategy.

”Its definition of Islamism is so broad that it fails to distinguish between Islamists and politically active Muslims inspired by Islam,” he warned.

”This unnecessarily smears ordinary politically-active Muslims and works to the favour of Islamists who benefit from hiding behind such blurred distinctions.”

Mr Nawaz added that it was “troubling” and “disappointing” that the strategy does not list any practical measures to safeguard against Prevent money being wasted on futile projects in the future, or to guard against it ending up in the hands of extremists.

”The bottom line is not just whether this strategy will make us safer against terrorist attack, but also whether it helps to foster more national cohesion,” he said.

”For the moment, the jury is out. The strategy in itself is just a piece of paper. The challenge now is to put it into practice, and to do that a Prevent overseer in Downing Street is required.

”Given his experience and background, Lord Carlile appears to be the best man for the job.”