FCO private meeting with Muslims in High Wycombe attracts criticism from local press

Monday, 28 September 2009 12:28

The meeting last week of Muslims in High Wycombe with UK Ambassador to Iraq, Sir Christopher Prentice, has attracted criticism from the local MP, Paul Goodman (pictured), and local press for its being held in private.

A local newspaper, Bucks Free Press, had requested permission to cover the meeting, permission that was granted and then retracted with Council chiefs explaining that guidelines from the FCO stipulated that the meeting was closed to the press. A spokesperson from the FCO said:

“As part of the FCO's programme of outreach to Muslim communities Sir Christopher Prentice, Ambassador to Baghdad, attended an event in High Wycombe on 24 September.

“The visit provided an opportunity to reach out to young British Muslims to explain our work and dispel misconceptions about UK foreign policy, as well as providing opportunities to discuss foreign policy issues away from extremist forums.

“It was not open to press in order to create a ‘safe space’ for open and frank discussions.”

A report produced by Building Bridges in Pendle, following meetings between local Muslim residents and representatives from the FCO, made frequent mention of the role of the media in reporting Muslims and issues around violent extremism.

Among the report’s recommendations is an issue involving the media, local and national:

‘The media has a major influence on fuelling misunderstanding of Islam and further developing Islamophobia. There are many cases of inaccurate reporting of National and International incidents which are negatively impacting on relationships between Muslim communities with Government and local authorities. A mechanism to have an influence on media reporting at a local level to be integrated into local authority structures.’

Might the FCO’s meeting in High Wycombe have been better handled, in the interests of both Muslims and the local press, if it had been held under Chatham House rules and open to the press?

What do you think – should these FCO meetings be held in private?

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