• MB News
  • September 16, 2014
  • 5 minutes read

Muslim Brotherhood Leader Tamimi: Daily Telegraph Article Sensationalist, Baseless Speculation

Muslim Brotherhood Leader Tamimi: Daily Telegraph Article Sensationalist, Baseless Speculation

 A Damien McElroy article published by the Daily Telegraph suggested that the British government is likely to impose a number of measures aimed at restricting the activity of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK. This caused a lot of arguments and controversy about the future of the Brotherhood in Britain.



For his part, Dr Azzam Tamimi, leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Britain, said: "I’ve seen the article as published in the Daily Telegraph, and I find its headline too sensationalist, considering that the article text does not offer anything. More importantly, the article does not contain any details about what in fact is in Sir Jenkins’ report or what it is likely to recommend.


"Everything in the story is speculation by the author, to which he added statements attributed to the Egyptian ambassador in London, inciting the British government to take action against the Muslim Brotherhood. I think this whole article is politicized.


Perhaps it is intended to send a certain message to appease the Saudis and the military junta in Egypt, whilst the Americans and the British endeavor to form an international coalition against the organization called ‘the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ or ISIS."


In a statement to Ikhwanweb, Dr Tamimi further added: "The Daily Telegraph article refers to a review by Sir Jenkins, Britain’s ambassador in Saudi Arabia, which was completed over a month ago and its findings submitted to the British government but that has not announced its conclusion as yet. The Daily Telegraph’s article contains nothing but speculation, in addition to the statement attributed to the Egyptian ambassador in London. Nothing more.


"I believe that the actions so suggested by the article’s author against the Brotherhood would require new legislation that will not be easy. If the British government tried to head in that direction, it will be faced with a tough legal battle in British and European courts, especially since Sir Jenkins’ review – according to what has been leaked of it until now – does not accuse the Muslim Brotherhood of involvement in any alleged terrorist activity.


On another note, Dr Tamimi denied claims that some Muslim Brotherhood leaders were seeking political asylum in Britain, after leaving Qatar.


"None of the Muslim Brotherhood leaders who left Qatar has sought asylum in Britain, and I can safely rule out the possibility of any of them doing so in the future. Asylum procedures, even visits to Britain, have become very difficult and complex.


Moreover, political asylum restricts freedom of movement, at least for a period of time. I know that Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leaders are generally not in favor of political asylum – especially well-known Brotherhood leaders.