Iraq war 'helped terrorists recruit in Britain'

The Iraq War has made it easier for terrorist recruiters to radicalise young British Muslims, Britain's largest policing authority has warned.

The UK's involvement in the war has been exploited by terrorists and used a powerful motivating tool to rally people to their cause.

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According to a report by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), most people believe the UK's participation in the invasion has increased the terrorist threat facing the country.

There is also a sense of "palpable rage" among many about the way the Government has tried to deny any link, the MPA said.

Its report, Counter Terrorism: The London Debate, was presented to the authority's members and some of Scotland Yard's most senior officers.

The MPA embarked on a year-long programme of community engagement to compile the report, canvassing the views of more than 1,000 people.

"There is no doubt in most Londoners' minds that an interpretation of UK foreign policy, in particular the UK's participation in the United States-led invasion of Iraq, has been used as an instrumental driver for international terrorism in this country," the report said.

"There is palpable rage at what some consider a disingenuous stance adopted by politicians who deny this link.

"While Londoners generally accept that perceived foreign policy is not the sole driver of extremism in this country, we heard a continued plea that politicians and government officials should treat people like grown ups when it comes to discussing any relationship between the military action of the UK and its allies overseas, and bombs going off in London."

Lord Toby Harris, the MPA's member with special responsibility for counter terrorism, said no-one seriously disputed the fact that the war had been used as a radicalising tool by extremists.

"The problem of international terrorism in this country predates the Iraq War.

"But the point is that the effect of the Iraq War has made it easier for individuals to be taken down the road towards terrorism," he said.

"That is something no-one is actively disputing."