An independent review of Prevent was announced by Security Minister Ben Wallace today at the House of Commons, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy that sought to prevent radicalisation, will see an independent review, he asked critics to bring evidence.

“I have decided that the time is now right to initiate a review of Prevent. Communities across the country have got behind the policy and are contributing to it because they want, as we do, their own young people to be protected from grooming and exploitation by terrorists.”

The strategy has been criticised due to the impact on freedom of speech as it is a legal requirement for bodies like Universities and Hospitals to report those they think may be at risk of turning to radicalisation, some have stated that it fosters racial profiling of Muslims. Wallace also went on to say:

That Home Office statistics “show that Prevent is not about out any particular group or ideology but is similar to other forms of safeguarding carried out every day by social workers, teachers and police.”

He added: “This review should expect those critics of Prevent, who often use distortions and spin, to produce solid evidence of their allegations.”

Parliament’s joint committee on human rights and the Muslim Council of Britain along with Universities and organisations have continually called for a review of the strategy.  Muslim Council of Britain issued a statement today.

'For far too long, the Prevent strategy has affected the lives of innocent families, been criticised for mainstreaming discrimination and lost the trust of communities around the UK…'https://t.co/Fu2bYHurVE pic.twitter.com/O4hchw2OMc

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) January 22, 2019

Many Civil liberties and human rights organisations have welcomed the move

“The need for a full and transparent independent review of Prevent has been clear from the outset,” said Adriana Edmeades Jones, Legal and Policy Director of Rights Watch (UK).

The #government counter-terrorism strategy, Prevent, is to undergo an independent review after ministers agreed to address concerns about its impact on #British #Muslim communities across the #UK Ben Wallace, the securities minister, announced #Tuesday .#MNA_English #MNA pic.twitter.com/8vEVoCE4wS

— M N A (@mnaEN) January 23, 2019

Security minister Ben Wallace announces an independent review of the Prevent counter-radicalisation programme — following years of lobbying from human rights groups, lawyers, MPs and Peers

— Helen Warrell (@helenwarrell) January 22, 2019

(1/7) We at FOSIS are encouraged to hear that there will be an independent review of the government's Prevent duty. However, we are also very cautious of the announcement made by the security minister, Ben Wallace, as we continue to fight for the complete abolition of Prevent as-

— FOSIS (@fosischannel) January 22, 2019

We welcome the Independent Review of Prevent announced by Security Minister Ben Wallace today.

The Muslim Council of Britain is one of many organisations which has long called for this.

Our full statement is available here: https://t.co/Fu2bYHurVE

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) January 22, 2019