A government counter-terrorism strategy has been challenged in the High Court by a writer from Slough writer, who claims it brands him an extremistthat aspects of it breach free speech rights.
Father of three Dr Salman Butt, 31, was named in a Downing Street press release about an aspect of the strategy, known as the Prevent duty, being used to stop extremists radicalising students on university campuses.
He was listed as one of six speakers who gave talks on campuses and was said to have views that violated British values, such as democracy, free speech and equality – something he denies. The press release claimed universities should not permit individuals such as Dr Butt to speak at events “in order to comply with the Prevent duty”.
