Two groups set to be re-assessed under the government’s new definition of extremism have hit back at Michael Gove – with one saying the minister’s latest move will only bolster their organisation.
Speaking in the Commons on Thursday, the communities secretary named two far-right organisations and three Islamist groups as ones “we should be concerned about”.
They will now be assessed against the new definition and if it’s deemed they are extremist, their members will be banned from meeting ministers or elected public officials, and the groups will be unable to receive public money.
One of the organisations named as giving “rise to concern for their Islamist orientation and views” was CAGE International.
Their spokesperson told Sky News he believes CAGE will see “a lot of unity off the back of this [announcement]” and claimed: “I genuinely think that Michael Gove is going to end up being our biggest fundraiser this Ramadan.”
Cerie Bullivant said the threat of losing access to public money isn’t a worry, as the group has never received it.
He said: “We haven’t had any government money, ever. We’re supported by our community, by the grassroots and by people who care about justice.
“We have never sought, and would never ask for, government money.”
Mr Bullivant said organisations such as Black Lives Matter and feminist campaigners Sisters Uncut have sent their “support”.
CAGE has vowed to “keep speaking out and working to our goals regardless” of Mr Gove‘s comment, he added.
A spokesperson for the Muslim Association of Britain, another of the named groups, said the funding threat…
