Are terror police really dropping the term ‘Islamist’?

Analysis: Reports that the terminology surrounding attacks could be changed have sparked furious debate, writes Lizzie Dearden

Flowers and messages are left at the scene of last November’s terror attack on London Bridge (Reuters)

Police have opened up a discussion on whether the term “Islamist terrorism” should be replaced, sparking furious debate. Authorities in the UK and other countries apply the description to attacks and plots inspired by Isis and al-Qaeda.

But the National Association of Muslim Police raised concern that the term was inaccurate and drives perceptions of Muslims as a threat, amid rising hate crime in Britain.

At a virtual meeting on 18 June, around 70 members of the Counter Terrorism Advisory Network (CTAN) including police, counter-extremism workers, academics and attack victims, discussed the issue.