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David Cameron says there are parts of Britain where people don't speak English

The PM claimed that any institution preaching intolerance would be shut down

Oliver Wright
Wednesday 07 October 2015 13:29 BST
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David Cameron gives his keynote speech to delegates on the fourth and final day of the Conservative Party Conference
David Cameron gives his keynote speech to delegates on the fourth and final day of the Conservative Party Conference (Getty)

Government inspectors are to be sent into Britain’s 2,000 Madrassas to crack down on child abuse and Islamic radicalisation, David Cameron has just announced.

In his speech to the Tory party conference Mr Cameron accused some Madrassas of teaching young Muslim children conspiracy theories about Jews and “poisoning” their minds about other religions.

He announced that in future all Madrassas would have to register with the Government and face regular inspections – almost certainly from the education watchdog Ofsted.

This passive tolerance has turned us into a less integrated country

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Any institution found to be “teaching intolerance”” will be “shut down” Mr Cameron added.

“In our country there are some children who spend several hours each day at a Madrassa,” he told delegates.

“In some Madrassas we’ve got children being taught that they shouldn’t mix with people of other religions; being beaten; swallowing conspiracy theories about Jewish people.

“These children should be having their minds opened, their horizons broadened not having their heads filled with poison and their hearts filled with hate.

He added: “If an institution is teaching children intensively, then whatever its religion, we will, like any other school, make it register so it can be inspected. And be in no doubt: if you are teaching intolerance, we will shut you down.”

Mr Cameron added that under this Conservative Government there would be no more “passive tolerance” in Britain and announced he expected the police to concentrate more resources on tackling forced marriages and genital mutilation.

“To children, British children, going to Pakistan in the summer holidays, before they’ve even started their GCSEs, and forced to marry a man they’ve never met children, British children, having their genitals mutilated, not just in a clinic in Lagos but the backstreets in Britain.

“This passive tolerance has turned us into a less integrated country; it’s put our children in danger. It is unforgiveable.

“So let me say it right here: no more passive tolerance in Britain. We’ve passed the laws – now I want them enforced.

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