Counter-extremists called 'sell-outs' and 'Uncle Toms'

Sara Khan, who leads the Commission for Countering Extremism, said victims need to be better protected, and those working to tackle extremism need more support, as she called for changes to the current strategy.

She also said there needs to be a new task force led by the Home Secretary involving government and public bodies in a bid to address the problem.

The independent adviser to the Government makes the recommendations in its first major report since it was set up in the wake of the 2017 terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

The report found that far-right figures like Tommy Robinson were using rallies to spread an "anti-Muslim agenda" and "deliberately distort the truth" to incite "discriminatory and hateful attitudes" among supporters.

The review - based on 3,000 responses to the inquiry, survey data and visits to 20 towns and cities - found that activists working to tackle extremists are being abused rather than supported.

They have been the subject of racist and sexist abuse, with some facing "unacceptable vilification in an attempt to smear and silence counter-extremists", the report said.

Words such as "Islamophobic", a "sell-out" and "an Uncle Tom" have been used, with some telling researchers they have been shunned by family and friends, had events shut down due to safety concerns, been forced to move house, and even received death and rape threats.

The report also said:

- There is another category of extremist behaviour, named by the commission as hateful extremism, which is different from terrorism and violent extremism.

Hateful extremism can be behaviour which can "incite and amplify hate" or make the "moral case for violence" and could put people at risk of harm, the report said.

Such behaviour may direct "hateful, hostile or supremacist beliefs" to groups perceived to be a threat to "well-being, survival or success".

The report said: "Behaviours that lie outside democratic debate fall into three categories: terrorism and violent extremism, hateful extremism and the restriction of rights and freedoms.

"It is our view that countering hateful extremism requires the greatest attention and focus if we are to be successful in reducing the extremist threat."

- People have a "deep concern" about extremism, with 76% of those who responded to a consultation saying more needs to be done to tackle it and nearly 50% saying they have witnessed some form of this behaviour.

- There needs to be a clearer distinction between work to tackle violent extremism and terrorism and that which challenges hateful extremism. But rights to be "radical, protest and be offensive" should be protected.

- Efforts to combat extremism are failing partially because people struggle to tell the different between open democratic debate and ideas that promote violence and hatred.

The report said: "Our evidence shows that large numbers of people are either affected by extremism or are worried about its effects on wider society. Yet some of the examples we were given include behaviours that we judge to be dissenting or offensive and are legitimate. These are part of democratic debate and must be protected.

Ms Khan said: "The Government must urgently overhaul its approach to challenging extremism, starting with a new definition of hateful extremism, a new Government strategy and a Home Secretary-led task force.

"Our country's response to terrorism is robust.

"This is not the case for hateful extremism. Yet if we are to be successful in reducing the extremist threat in our society, we need to focus our efforts on challenging hateful extremism.

"We are not doing enough to protect victims. We under-estimate the impact of those that make the moral case for violence.

"We can, and must, do more to address the spread of hateful extremism on our streets and online.

"We must not allow extremists to normalise their hatred."

Baroness Williams, the minister for countering extremism, said the Home Office would consider the findings and respond in due course, adding: "It sickens me that extremists attempt to spread their toxic views, which go completely against our fundamental values.

"Our new counter-extremism strategy, due to be published next year, will reflect the changing nature we face from extremism whilst building on the positive work already delivered."

By Flora Thompson, PA