The leader of the Liberal Democrat party, Nick Clegg, has written to the Policy Exchange 'think-tank' criticising its 'bizarre and underhand behaviour' in seeking to try and dissuade prominent politicians from attending the hugely popular Global Peace and Unity conference organised by the Islam Channel at the ExCel Centre in London on Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 October.

Clegg said that Policy Exchange had privately circulated an 'offensive dossier' about some of the proposed speakers with a view to linking them to extremism.
 
In his strongly-worded letter to Policy Exchange, Nick Clegg said:
 
"The Policy Exchange briefing I have seen seeks to raise alarm over a number of the speakers planning to attend the conference. The accuracy of the allegations is variable, with a notable lack of evidence to support many of the claims.
 
"In particular I was appalled to see 'evidence' quoted from the Society for American National Existence, an organisation which seeks to make the practice of Islam illegal, punishable by 20 years in prison. I need hardly point out how illogical it is to attempt to criticise one set of extreme views by citing another."
 
The full text of Nick Clegg's highly commendable letter to Policy Exchange can be read here.

ENGAGE salutes the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, for standing up to the intimidatory and frankly McCarthyite tactics employed by Policy Exchange. PX is well-known to British Muslims for its longstanding anti-Muslim agenda. It appears that to PX the only good Muslim is a docile Muslim. Hence, Policy Exchange's support for the likes of the neo-con friendly Quilliam Foundation.
 
We would encourage all those who believe that our political parties should be engaging fairly with all communities to write and thank Nick Clegg by emailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for standing firm on this matter. He deserves our support on this crucial issue.

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PX ripped to shreds   |2008-10-26 19:46:04 http://mindrobber.blogspot.com/2008/10/policy-exchange-on-gp-and-nick-clegg.html Great expose of PX\'s so-called \'dossier\'.

Macedonian Git  - Mr   |2008-10-26 19:45:29 At last an MP with balls. In this climate it is becoming impossible to counter the untruths of a well financed and highly highly organised interest group. It is fundamental to our democracy that space is created to allow people, politicians or otherwise, to speak about the real issues affecting our country and it\'s lurch to the far right. Well done Nick!

Abdul Rohim   |2008-10-26 17:01:02 Assalamu 'alaikum. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I also hope others on this group will write to Mr Clegg. Below is my contribution - tried to keep it simple & brief... Subject: PX briefing To: libdemleader@parliament.uk Date: Sunday, 26 October, 2008, 3:03 PM Dear Mr Clegg,I am writing to thank you for exposing the briefing given by Policy Exchange to boycott the Global Peace & Unity Event at the Excel Ctr this weekend. I attended with my whole family as well as friends & neighbours. It really was a great opportunity to see & hear a vibrant muslim community, confident of our place in society and recognising the contributions we are making every day to make our country a better place for all people. That is something to be celebrated. My greater concern is how Policy Exchange's briefings and alarmist reporting of us is influencing policy thinking across the political spectrum on issues to do with muslims and in particluar how it is shaping future policy by the Conservative Party. Their negative views about muslims are given credibility due to them being shrouded by the air of respectability achieved by Policy Exchange on the sometimes very good work they've done in other policy areas. I do hope politicians and policy makers are able to see through this as you have done. However I still worry for my children's future. I thank you for your principled stand against Policy Exchange's briefing and hope that you will continue to expose underhand behaviour of this sort. Sincerely yours, Abdul Rohim Newham, London

Moj.   |2008-11-01 00:46:46 Well done, Mr. Clegg. Keep up the Good work!

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