Muslim Tories: 'Iran has right to nuclear arms'
Muslim Tories: 'Iran has right to nuclear arms'
By Andrew Porter
Last Updated: 3:04am BST 20/10/2007
A body set up by David Cameron to advise the Conservatives on Muslim issues has criticised the Government's relationship with Israel and concluded that Iran has "legitimate" reasons for wanting nuclear weapons.
The Conservative Muslim Forum also wants the compulsory history curriculum in schools changed to give "full recognition to the massive contribution that Islam has made to the development of Western civilisation".
It also argues that preachers who advocate a rejection of democracy and its institutions should not be denied entry into Britain.
The findings are in a response to this summer's report by the Tory National and International Security Policy Group chaired by new adviser, Dame Pauline Neville-Jones.
But the way it addresses certain key issues — completely at odds with Tory policy — will embarrass Mr Cameron. Its comments on Israel, in particular, will be seized on.
The report says: "Regardless of whether one finds Israel a congenial country or not, on any objective assessment of the type of unqualified support given to Israel by the current government it is not conducive to British national interests as this could damage Britain's relationships with 15 billion Muslims worldwide, including those in Britain."
It concludes that passage with: "In all our dealings with Israel, we must remember the plight of the displaced Palestinians."
The group calls on the party to be more sympathetic towards Iran. It says: "Given Iran's position in the Middle East, facing a nuclear-armed Israel, Iran appears to have legitimate reasons for seeking nuclear weapons for defensive purposes."
It says that an incoming Tory government should oppose Iran's weapon ambitions, but adds: "Any collusion by Britain in an Israeli or American military strike against Iran would be extremely damaging to Britain's long-term security interests."
The forum works out of the Conservative headquarters in London. It is chaired by Lord Sheikh, a party donor who was given a peerage last year. His wife works in Tory HQ.
Last night, a spokesman said: "This is simply one of many submissions received and does not represent Conservative Party policy."
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