(Secretary of State for the
Home Department): I am today confirming Ms Sara
Khan’s appointment to the role of Lead Commissioner of the
Government’s new Commission for Countering Extremism. All necessary
pre-employment checks have been completed.
Ms Khan’s appointment follows a rigorous and transparent
competition carried out in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s
Governance Code on Public Appointments. I am delighted that Ms
Khan will drive forward the vital work of the Commission for
Countering Extremism. Ms Khan’s extensive experience in
countering extremism and defending the rights of women and girls,
and her determination to confront and challenge extremism
wherever it resides makes her ideally suited to this role.
Extremism causes a wide range of harms, including the promotion
of hatred and division, discrimination against women and girls,
the encouragement of isolation, and the rejection of our
democratic system and the rule of law. The Commission for
Countering Extremism will have a clear remit to identify
extremism in all its forms, whether online or in our communities.
As we consider new approaches to tackling extremism, I believe
that there is much that can be learnt from how society sought to
tackle racism in the last century. In particular how the state
and civil society worked together to take on and challenge a set
of attitudes and beliefs that have no place in this country.
I have agreed with Ms Khan that her early priorities will
include:
• Engaging widely and openly on extremism and Britain’s values
across the public sector, communities, civil society, and with
legal and academic experts.
• Producing a strategic assessment of the threat we face from
extremism, and the current response.
• Advising Ministers on the Commission’s future structures, work
programme and the appointment of further commissioners. This
advice will in part be informed by the Lead Commissioner’s
engagement with stakeholders.
The Commission will also produce an annual report on its work.
Alongside this statement, I have today published a Charter for
the Commission, which sets out its relationship with the
Government and the public. The Commission for Countering
Extremism will initially be established as a non-statutory expert
committee of the Home Office. It will operate independently, at
arm’s length from Government.
The Commission will play a crucial role in supporting the
Government and its partners to tackle the scourge of extremism
and stand up for the shared values of the mainstream majority. I
look forward to working with Ms Khan on this shared agenda.
