Farage Demands Probe into Moazzam Begg’s Protest Remarks

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Calls are growing for police to investigate former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg after he appeared to promote support for a proscribed group during a protest in central London.

Mr Begg, now a director at the activist organisation CAGE, made the comments on Sunday outside the Israeli Embassy. Addressing a crowd, he expressed solidarity with Palestine Action, a group officially designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government earlier this year.

In footage shared on social media, Begg told demonstrators: “We stand here today supporting our brothers and sisters from Palestine Action, who have shown what it means to be true allies.” The group was outlawed in April due to its involvement in violent acts and links to Hamas.

Nigel Farage, speaking to GB News, called for immediate police action. “It is deeply troubling to see someone with this background encouraging public support for a proscribed group,” he said. “The authorities must not turn a blind eye. This is a serious national security concern.”

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, it is a criminal offence in the UK to express support for a banned organisation or to encourage others to do so. The law aims to prevent the spread of extremism and the glorification of groups involved in terrorism.

Palestine Action was proscribed after a series of criminal incidents targeting UK defence-linked firms supplying equipment to Israel. The Home Office confirmed that the group had used “violence, intimidation, and criminal damage” to advance its agenda.

Begg, who was detained at Guantanamo Bay in 2002 and later released without charge, has long been a controversial figure. His group, CAGE, previously caused outrage in 2015 when it described Islamic State executioner Mohammed Emwazi known as “Jihadi John” as a “beautiful young man.”

His latest comments have reignited concerns about the blurred line between protest and incitement. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, writing on X (formerly Twitter), said: “The police must investigate Moazzam Begg’s comments as a matter of urgency. Encouraging support for a proscribed group is a criminal offence.”

The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed whether an investigation is underway. However, pressure is mounting amid ongoing concerns about extremism and the rising influence of activist groups operating outside the law.

In a follow-up statement, Mr Begg defended his remarks by claiming he was highlighting “legitimate resistance” to what he described as oppression. Critics, however, argue that this type of rhetoric only emboldens extremist groups and risks undermining UK national security.

The incident has also drawn renewed attention to the Labour government’s handling of radicalisation and domestic security policy. Ministers have remained silent on the matter, despite growing concern over the potential threat posed by such statements.

As protests linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict continue to unfold across British cities, political figures and security experts alike are urging stronger enforcement of the laws already in place.