Cameron defends ‘reasonable’ request for British mosques to 'do more to root out extremists'

David Cameron has rejected criticism by some Muslims of a letter sent to mosques in England.

17:04 19 January 2015

Secretary Eric Pickles  sent a letter to more than 1,000 Islamic leaders saying that although he was “proud” of the way Muslims in Britain has responded to the Paris terror attack, so much more work needs to be done to root out potential extremists from within the UK.

The letter was criticised by some Muslims.

However, David Cameron came to Mr Pickle’s defense, saying: "I think it is absolutely right to write this letter, to say that we all have a responsibility to fight extremism.

"Anyone who reads this letter - and I've read the letter - will see that what he is saying is that British Muslims make a great contribution to our country, that what is happening in terms of extremist terror has nothing to do with the true religion of Islam. It's being perverted by a minority who have been radicalised.

"But everyone needs to help with dealing with this problem of radicalisation.

"Anyone, frankly, reading this letter, who has a problem with it, I think really has a problem. I think it is the most reasonable, sensible, moderate letter that Eric could possibly have written.

"Frankly, all of us have a responsibility to try to confront this radicalisation and make sure that we stop young people being drawn into this poisonous fanatical death cult that a very small minority of people have created."

Pickle’s letter states: "You, as faith leaders, are in a unique position in our society. You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility: in explaining and demonstrating how faith in Islam can be part of British identity.

"We believe together we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of British Islam today.

"There is a need to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today: proud of your faith and proud of your country.

"We know that acts of extremism are not representative of Islam; but we need to show what is."