Lawmakers to demand probe into Prevent abuse

London: An independent investigation should be held into allegations that a government programme aimed at preventing Muslims from being lured into violent extremism is being used to "spy" on them, a committee of MPs was expected to say later Tuesday.

The programme, called Prevent, has been dogged by controversy and is criticised on several fronts in a report published Tuesday by the communities and local government select committee, which says the programme has "stigmatised and alienated" British Muslims.

In last October, The Guardian revealed Prevent was being used to gather intelligence about innocent people who are not suspected of terrorist involvement. The article was denounced as "wilfully misleading" by Alan Johnson, the home secretary.

Phyllis Starkey, the committee chair, said: "Many witnesses made plain they believe Prevent has been used to ‘spy' on Muslim communities.

"The misuse of terms such as ‘intelligence gathering' amongst Prevent partners has clearly discredited the programme and fed distrust. Information required to manage Prevent has been confused with intelligence gathering undertaken by the police to combat crime and surveillance used by the security services to actively pursue terrorism suspects."

The committee report does not back the government's unequivocal denunciation of the reports of spying and concludes: "We cannot ignore the volume of evidence we have seen and heard which demonstrates a continuing lack of trust of the programme amongst those delivering and receiving services."