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Telephone threats made against bishop

00:00, 04 February 2008

Police have put measures in place to make sure the Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali remains safe. Picture: MIKE GUNNILL
Police have put measures in place to make sure the Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali remains safe. Picture: MIKE GUNNILL

THE Bishop of Rochester, who claimed Islamic extremism had turned some communities into no-go areas for non-Muslims, has received telephone threats against himself.

The Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, spoke about non-Muslims who may find it hard to live or work in some areas.

Just days later, the Bishop recieved telephone calls from somene making "stupid threats" against his security and safety and that of his family.

The matter has been reported to the police and measures have been put in place to make sure he remains safe.

Dr Nazir-Ali wrote in a national Sunday newspaper in January that their had been been a worldwide resurgence of Islamic extremism, leading to young people growing up alienated from the country they lived in.

He said there was "hostility" in some areas, but did not name them, and described the Government's multi-cultural policies as divisive.

On his website, he says he was aware his view would cause a debate, but has been surprised by its scale.

The bishop's chaplain, Canon Tony Smith, said: "The threats were made by phone and happened about four weeks ago, when he was in India. The calls were made from Britain.

"They were stupid theats like 'we'll get you', so we did have to inform the police, and appropriate measures and procedures have been put in place to make sure he is safe.

"We are now just getting on with life."

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