Sir, I have to disagree with Ibrahim Master's argument that plans to base a new intelligence HQ in the North West were simply a misplaced reaction to "Muslim opposition to the war".
If that were the case then surely it would make more sense to place the HQ in Yorkshire were Muslim numbers are greater.
A more realistic possibility is that the government has finally woken up to the fact that the North West is home to more extremist groups than any other part of the United Kingdom (UK) with the exception of the capital: many of whom are no friends of Muslims. One is the White Nationalist Party (WNP) which is active in areas like Preston, Accrington and Lancaster.
Given all this surely it makes more sense to have such an HQ in the North West where these groups can be monitored more closely.
Via e-mail
Andi Ali
University of Newcastle
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