Peter Oborne: Terrorist sympathisers comments a 'form of McCarthyism'

Peter Oborne, writing for Middle East Eye, has slammed David Cameron's remarks that opponents to war in Syria are "terrorist sympathisers."

"Mr Cameron's accusation amounts to a form of McCarthyism. Named after the drunken but astute Senator Joe McCarthy, it became part of the mindset of American post-war politics. It ensured that any opponent, or even any critic, of US policy could be denounced automatically as a communist agent or sympathiser.

"As a result thousands of intelligent and talented people were bullied, put on secret blacklists, hounded from their jobs, and in some cases forced into exile.

"Mr Cameron's claim that those who oppose his plan to bomb ISIS are supporters of terrorism suggests that Britain might soon embark on the same horrifying path.

"It is important to note here that this has already happened for one British minority. British Muslims who have challenged our foreign policy over the last 14 years have been barred from public platforms, denied access to government jobs, smeared in the press and placed on secret blacklists.

"This government’s counter-extremism policy defines those who refuse to comply with official thinking as potential terrorists and therefore beyond the pale. For example, ministers have had no dealings with the Muslim Council of Britain since 2006. The MCB claims to be a bulwark against domestic terrorism, but Labour, coalition and now Conservative government will not talk to it."