Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — Britain has launched an investigation of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Officials said the government of Prime Minister David Cameron has sought to determine whether the Brotherhood, with headquarters in Egypt, was contributing to Muslim extremism in Britain.

They said the investigation would also include links between Islamists in Britain and Brotherhood insurgency operations in Egypt.

The British investigation was expected to include significant input from the intelligence community. Officials cited pressure from Arab allies, which said Britain was a headquarters for Brotherhood exiles.

So far, the investigation has not led to any detention of Brotherhood figures. The Brotherhood said its members plan to remain in Britain.

“We have been living for years in a country that has laws and human rights, even those who do not hold its citizenship,” Ibrahim Munit, secretary of the Brotherhood’s international wing, said. “As a result, we don’t have intentions to leave the country, in which we enjoy freedom.”

“What I think is important about the Muslim Brotherhood is to make sure
we fully understand what this organization is, what it stands for, what its
links are, what its beliefs are — in terms of both extremism and violent
extremism — what its connections are with other groups, what its presence
is here in the United Kingdom,” Cameron said.

At a news conference on April 2, Cameron cited Islamist attacks in
Britain, including those on soldiers and police. The prime minister said the
government sought to prevent the radicalization of the Muslim community.

“And I think it’s an important piece of work, because we’ll only get our
policy right if we fully understand the true nature of the organization that
we’re dealing with,” Cameron said.

Officials said Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Jenkins, would
lead the government investigation of the Brotherhood. Last month, the
Saudi government, following its counterpart in Egypt, banned the
Brotherhood.

  David Cameron, Ibrahim Munit, Introspection: UK probes wisdom of offering safe haven to Muslim Brotherhood, John Jenkins