A BIRMINGHAM mosque at the centre of an explosive programme about extremist preachers has hit back after a TV watchdog found nothing wrong with the documentary.
Ofcom rejected complaints from West Midlands Police about the way in which Dispatches: Undercover Mosque had been edited.
The programme contained footage of hardline preachers giving highly offensive sermons about homosexuals, women and non-Muslims at Green Lane Mosque in Small Heath.
Channel Four, which broadcast the documentary, accused the force of "staggering naivety" over the issue while Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the decision to complain to Ofcom "raised wider issues" for policing.
A spokesman for the mosque today rejected Ofcom's findings and said they would continue to work for the community.
The spokesman said in a statement: "Further to Ofcom's ruling on the Channel Four Dispatches programme, we respect their decision although we beg to differ in regard to their findings.
"We hold the view that the film was compiled in a way that portrayed a number of mainstream Muslim institutions in the worst possible light. This is supported by the fact that Ofcom received many complaints from members of the lay public, with no affiliation to any of the institutions featured in the programme."
He added: "On behalf of the Muslim community we commend the police and Crown Prosecution Service for investigating the matter in a thorough and balanced manner. In contrast to the broadcaster's insinuations we reiterate our desire to work closely with the wider community for the betterment of society."
