UK defence secretary pays compensation to imam falsely accused of supporting IS

The British defence secretary has apologised and agreed to pay compensation to a London-based imam he falsely accused of supporting the Islamic State (IS) group.

In a letter published on Wednesday, Michael Fallon apologised for accusing Suliman Gani of supporting IS and admitted that the comments were “entirely untrue”.

“I accept that you (Gani) are entirely opposed to Daesh/Islamic State, that you regard it as incompatible with your religious and moral beliefs, and that you have spoken out publicly against it,” wrote Fallon.

“In recognition of that distress I have agreed to make a payment of compensation and to meet your reasonable legal costs.”

According to MailOnline, the figure agreed was about £10,000 ($15,000) although that sum was not confirmed by either party.

Fallon reiterated that his decision to label Gani an IS supporter was based on an earlier accusation made by a presenter on a BBC programme and that he had been unaware at the time that the allegations were untrue.

“I was made aware of the BBC’s correction and apology a few hours after the broadcast and immediately issued a statement in an effort to put the record straight,” he added.

Gani told Middle East Eye that he was "overwhelmed with happiness and joy" at Fallon's decision.

He said that the issue had always been on his mind and had particularly stressful while fasting for the holy month of Ramadan.

"The apology has come and totally vindicated me," he said.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron originally made reference to Gani supporting IS during a parliamentary debate in April.

At the time, Gani noted that he would have sued the prime minister for the comments had he not been protected by parliamentary privilege.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron said that Sadiq Khan, then running for London mayor, had appeared on a platform nine times with Gani, and alleged that he ”supports IS“.

It later emerged Gani had also shared a platform with Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith and had in fact actively supported the Conservative Party in the past.

Gani has been regarded as controversial for past comments made about women and the LGBT community - in 2013 he fell out with Khan after he became the spokesperson for a letter opposing the UK government’s introduction of same-sex marriage laws.

However, he has also repeatedly condemned the actions of IS in Syria and Iraq and emphasised that his calls in the past for the "creation of an Islamic state" did not refer to the militant group.

He has stated that he “never promoted terrorism or violence".