The Guardian has sacked one of its journalists following a row over his links to Muslim political group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Trainee reporter Dilpazier Aslam, who has written
news stories and a comment piece about the London terror attacks for
the paper, was revealed in The Independent on Sunday to be a member of
Hizb ut-Tahrir. The group advocates the foundation of a new state on
strict Islamic principles and is banned in Germany and Holland, but not
the UK.
news stories and a comment piece about the London terror attacks for
the paper, was revealed in The Independent on Sunday to be a member of
Hizb ut-Tahrir. The group advocates the foundation of a new state on
strict Islamic principles and is banned in Germany and Holland, but not
the UK.
On Wednesday, Sun columnist Richard Littlejohn was among those calling for Aslam’s dismissal from the paper.
Late this week The Guardian declined to comment on what it said was an internal staffing matter.
But now it has confirmed that Aslam’s contract had been ended.
But now it has confirmed that Aslam’s contract had been ended.
The paper said: “The decision follows a detailed
internal inquiry into Mr Aslam’s membership of the political
organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir. Having investigated the organisation
further The Guardian now believes continuing membership of the
organisation to be incompatible with his continued employment by the
company.
internal inquiry into Mr Aslam’s membership of the political
organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir. Having investigated the organisation
further The Guardian now believes continuing membership of the
organisation to be incompatible with his continued employment by the
company.
“Mr Aslam was asked to resign his membership but
has chosen not to. The Guardian respects his right to take that
decision but has regretfully concluded that it had no option but to
terminate Mr Aslam’s contract with the company.
has chosen not to. The Guardian respects his right to take that
decision but has regretfully concluded that it had no option but to
terminate Mr Aslam’s contract with the company.
“The Guardian accepts that it should have
explicitly mentioned Mr Aslam’s membership of Hizb ut-Tahrir at the end
of his comment piece ‘We will rock the boat’, published on 13 July.”
explicitly mentioned Mr Aslam’s membership of Hizb ut-Tahrir at the end
of his comment piece ‘We will rock the boat’, published on 13 July.”
Aslam, 27, started his journalism career as a
trainee on the Matlock Mercury in 2004 and joined the Guardian in
October of that year as a trainee under its diversity scheme.
trainee on the Matlock Mercury in 2004 and joined the Guardian in
October of that year as a trainee under its diversity scheme.
His 560-word article, “We rock the boat: today’s
Muslims aren’t prepared to ignore injustice” following the London
terror attacks was interpreted by some as being too sympathetic to the
cause of the Islamic extremists believed to be behind the explosions.
Muslims aren’t prepared to ignore injustice” following the London
terror attacks was interpreted by some as being too sympathetic to the
cause of the Islamic extremists believed to be behind the explosions.
Content from our partners
Related
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
