Muslim Brotherhood Probe In London Proves Cameron Is 'Bowing To Foreign Pressure' Group Says

Muslim Brotherhood In London Urges PM Not To Bow To Foreign Pressure
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The Muslim Brotherhood has come out swinging against an investigation into their activities in the UK, engaging a top QC and warning Britain has bowed to "pressure from a foreign government".

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Macdonald QC, the former director of public prosecutions, has been engaged by the party to represent them in the investigation.

The Muslim Brotherhood said it had particular concerns about the appointment of Britain’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Sir John Jenkins, to lead the review.

In a statement, it questioned whether Sir John could do both jobs fair-handedly, with the Saudi regime hostile to the Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia banned the organisation last month, calling it a "terrorist group".

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Supporters of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Egypt

Recent reports have suggested that much of the Muslim Brotherhood's campaigning and media activities is now run out of London, more specifically, a room above a derelict kebab shop in Cricklewood, north west London.

Several key member of the Brotherhood have fled to London following the ousting of Egypt's president Mohamed Morsi, the outlawing of the party in Egypt and an unprecedented number of death sentences handed down to members.

In a statement released on behalf of the Brotherhood by ITN solicitors, the party said it was "a lawful organisation" and that it does not "promote acts of violence in order to achieve its aims".

It will not resist any investigation, the statement said, and "welcomes all opportunities to engage with governments in order to bring a better understanding about the aims and methods of the Muslim Brotherhood."

"It is important that the British Government does not bend to pressure from foreign governments who are concerned about their own people’s quest for democracy," the statement said.

"It is hard to see how Sir John Jenkins will be able to conduct an independent internal review of the Muslim Brotherhood and carry his brief as ambassador to a non-democratic regime that is openly in political opposition to the Muslim Brotherhood."

It asked the UK government to also consider a review of the "very many well documented and serious human rights abuses being conducted by the military regime in Egypt".

"The British Government should be cautious not to allow this review to be seen as an endorsement of the criminal acts which continue to be perpetrated against the people of Egypt."

The Brotherhood said it will take legal action to challenge "any improper attempt to restrict its activity".