UK groups deny government claims they are linked to possible terrorists

British organisations criticised in an official report which branded members of theMuslim Brotherhood as “possible terrorists” have denied they have any link to the organisation.

The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), which helped the Finsbury Park mosque emerge from the shadow of militant preacher Abu Hamza, and the Cordoba Foundation, a Middle Eastern thinktank which has negotiated the freedom of 19 hostages in Iraq – sometimes at the request of the government – denied having “any links to the Muslim Brotherhood”.

Released by David Cameron a few hours before parliament’s Christmas recess, the report stopped short of banning the Muslim Brotherhood but said the group characterised the UK as fundamentally hostile to the Muslim faith and identity and had expressed support for terrorist attacks by the Palestinian Islamist groupHamas.The Cordoba Foundation, set up to promote peace in the Middle East, was said to be “associated with the Brotherhood”. However in a press conference held at Finsbury Park mosque, Anas Altikriti, the founder of the Cordoba Foundation, said he had “absolutely no links to the Muslim Brotherhood”.

“I think that the Muslim Brotherhood remains the most important democratic voice that espouses multiculturism, human rights and basic freedoms. But I do not have any links to it. I just think these values are essential … to reach out to Muslim youth.”

He added that he supported Hamas “only on the basis that it is the democratically elected government in Palestine. It does not mean I support every tactic or statement Hamas makes. I am against suicide bombing on religious and political grounds. As for Hamas, Tony Blair has held meetings with the leadership so is it an issue for him?”

The report accuses the MAB of being “dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood”. However Omer El-Hamdoon, the president of the association, said it had no links with the organisation. He also took issue with the claim that the MAB had “consistently opposed programmes by successive governments to prevent terrorism”.