Home Secretary to outline new terror strategy

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 17, 2008, 7:55 GMT

(files) A July 6 2005 file photo of British Labour party member of parliament Jacqui Smith. Ms Smith is to outline the government\'s new strategy to combat violent extremism with better communication at the centre of the policy. EPA/STEPHEN POND

(M&C) - Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to outline the government's new strategy to combat violent extremism with better communication at the centre of the policy.

The proposed changes are an attempt to prevent young Muslims from falling under the influence of fanatical elements.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that the government will do away with the term "war on terror" and will refer to jihadis as "criminals" in an attempt to prevent the glorification of Al-Qaeda and other fanatical groups.

"As you disrupt radicalisation you must be aware of how you describe it and must not do so in a way that is inadvertently inflammatory," said a Whitehall source to the newspaper.

"We need to communicate more effectively - but we don't think we can communicate our way out of this."

Ms Smith's speech, to be delivered to the International Centre for Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, in central London, will also call on internet providers to remove all extremists' websites.

The speech comes one day after news of a the setting up of a British branch of Al-Qaeda came from an extremist website.