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Top Muslim brands Blair a liar
Jul 28 2005
A prominent Muslim leader launched a vitriolic attack on Tony Blair as council leaders and police appealed for calm in the wake of yesterday's arrests.
The chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque, Dr Mohammed Naseem, urged the Muslim community to cooperate with police, but also vented his fury at the Prime Minister, who he called a "liar".
Dr Naseem was speaking at a press briefing in Hay Mills after the council's community safety chief and a senior police officer spoke of the good community relations in Birmingham, which they hoped would lead to stability in the city following the terror arrests yesterday.
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Dr Naseem said: "All communities are united in the fight against terror. We believe there must be appropriate action taken and that people who do these things should have due punishment.
"But, having said that, it is important that the practices of law should be open, independent and transparent.
"That is not the case at the moment. Those who we have got orders from are not reliable. Tony Blair has told lies and in a court a liar is not regarded as a reliable witness.
"I am not saying the police are corrupt, but they are acting on orders which should not be allowed in a democratic country."
West Midlands Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: "I would ask people to remain calm. This is an isolated piece of work we are doing and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this. These people have now been arrested safely.
"We would urge people to be vigilant. If anyone sees anything suspicious they should contact police."
Councillor Talib Hussain (Lib Dem Sparkbrook) the council's cabinet member of local services and community safety, said: "This sort of thing is a shock whenever and wherever it happens. All community and faith leaders need to look at this and address their specific concerns because all the communities will have the support of the council and the police."
