UK’S Image Problem in Dealing with Terrorists

The British government has a major image problem when it comes to fighting terrorism, something Sri Lanka has been aware of for years with the existence of LTTE offices, their so-called charities and various groups linked to the LTTE who set up their base camps in the UK - even while being officially banned by the Home Office, the British interior ministry.

The government official position is here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/counter-terrorism/proscribed-t...

The reality is frightening: 40 out of the 48 proscribed international terrorist groups have interests inside the UK while raising funds; for about terrorist acts committed abroad, you only have to talk with diplomats from the affected countries s, based in their respective embassies in London, who have details of cases on both Islamic and non -Islamic groups . They operate major crime rings inside the UK.

Since 9/11, however, things have changed - when the UK got a ‘taste’ of terrorism itself. Then, spies from foreign intelligence services, who keep spying on these groups, have had help from the anti-Jihad movement in exchange for their help and experience in dealing with non-Islamic terrorist organisations .

Meanwhile, street movements and internet users have fought their own battle where the British government did fail in. In my case, I placed over 200 newspaper stories about Al-Qaeda operating inside the UK and several diplomats have tipped off their counterparts in the British intelligence Services. Having taken a break with tradition - spying on Al-Qaeda and other groups - I still come across good men and women who are fighting not against all terrorist groups, just the Islamic terrorists groups.

One such person was Tommy Robinson from the EDL – English Defence League – who admired my work in Sri Lanka and India while spying on terrorist networks. It is with great sadness that it has been brought to my attention that Tommy Robinson has been arrested – by strange coincidence, just before the elections of the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)vote.

Tommy had promised that Islamic and non-Islamic terrorists would not be allowed to operate in the UK when the British Freedom Party candidate gets into office. While exercising his authority as the most superior individual of a police force, according to Tommy, they will be given orders to act on these terrorists based in the UK or else the chief of police will be replaced by someone who will do the job without being swayed by political correction.

Tommy Robinson, a kind family man who is being attacked for fighting terrorism, is now on remand until January 2013 amongst some of the very people that he has spoken up against; his followers have launched an appeal to raise funds for his defence fund.

Fighting terrorism is neither a joke nor a James bond film. MI5, the British Intelligence Network refuses to act on these terror groups, unless they threaten British interests .The same agency keeps mum on the fate of the likes of Tommy.

These latest actions show why people in the UK are scared to speak up against their Government on the subject. I myself have been questioned by the police over the LTTE operations in the UK, with the officers being unaware that their bosses had, in fact, asked the Sri Lankan High commission in London for full reports on LTTE events and movements - when I was being used to monitor the LTTE.

I always wondered why the British police can ask for intelligence reports, yet fail to act on them. It is the same today with Al-Qaeda - until they threaten to attack on British interests on British soil, the police refuse to act against Islamic terrorists.

Tommy Robinson wanted this non-action to change and deport the terrorists - his crime for serving a prison sentence. I am sure there are going to be others, who will suffer the same fate for speaking out against terrorists operating in the UK.

- Asian Tribune -