Former Prevent practitioner claims counter-terrorism programme has 'fear of tackling Islamist extremism'

Littlewood told GB News there was a "political worry" about addressing Islamist extremism, particularly at local level.

Littlewood explained: "Prevent has a fear of tackling Islamist extremism that lends itself to then naturally, having more far right cases and emphasis.

"So I found that there was a political worry, especially on the local level of tackling Islamism, especially in areas where there is the most influence, and organisations with Islamist leanings that have influence in these local areas.

"And the local authorities then do not want to engage and prevent heavily. That's something I personally experienced, which causes a natural inclination to deal with other forms of extremism that are within its remit.

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"That doesn't mean to say that the far right isn't a threat, but Islamists are the biggest threat. Without a doubt.

"That should have the most resources afforded to it, the most expert people in that area employed within prevent so that it can have a strong a strong leadership within that space and that's just not there."

Michael Stewart has departed as director of the Prevent counter-terrorism scheme after more than four years in the role.

His exit follows a damning review published in February that found the programme "prematurely" closed its case on Axel Rudakubana.

The review came three years before Rudakubana murdered three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

The Home Office has declined to comment on Stewart's departure when approached by the BBC.

Littlewood suggested Stewart should have stepped down earlier over the "sprint review", which she claimed "confused what extremism was".

Rudakubana was referred to Prevent three times between 2019 and 2021 due to his interest in terrorist attacks and school shootings.

Despite these referrals, officials found "no evidence of a fixed ideology or motivation" and closed his case.

In July last year, Rudakubana stabbed 11 children and two adults at the dance class, killing nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and six-year-old Bebe King.

He was jailed in January for a minimum of 52 years after admitting the murders, attempted murders, production of ricin, possession of an al-Qaeda training manual and possession of a knife.

The urgent review found counter-terrorism officers had "sufficient information" to escalate his case to enhanced monitoring.

The review criticised Prevent's focus on Rudakubana's ideology rather than risk factors.