Britain is becoming less trusting, more divided and increasingly volatile, according to a new report co-authored by Dame Sara Khan. The former government adviser on social cohesion says growing extremism, political intimidation and collapsing faith in public institutions are putting democratic values under pressure. The report, Britain Under Strain, claims 24 per cent of Britons say they would side with hostile foreign powers such as China, Russia or Iran under certain circumstances. It also found 61 per cent believe the relationship between citizens and the state is "broken", while 15 per cent think political violence can sometimes be justified. Khan, who founded Inspire after the July 7 terrorist attacks and later advised successive governments on extremism, admitted she was stunned by the findings. She said researchers checked the figures three times because they initially struggled to believe the results. Speaking about Britain's political climate, Khan described an atmosphere of growing fear. She said intimidation now reaches far beyond Westminster, with academics, teachers, journalists and councillors all reporting threats and harassment that discourage free speech and public debate. The interview came just days after the killing of Ann Widdecombe, prompting fresh concerns over the safety of politicians. Khan called the murder "horrendous" and questioned whether more public figures could now become targets, potentially discouraging talented people from entering politics. Khan said she has experienced abuse from multiple directions throughout her career. Islamist extremists have branded her an apostate, while the far-Right has viewed her as part of the liberal establishment. She argued governments too often respond to security threats only after violence occurs instead of tackling extremist ideologies before they spread. Using increased security around Jewish institutions as an example, she questioned why more effort is not directed towards reducing support for anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Discussing extremism, Khan distinguished it from terrorism, describing extremism as the ideas and narratives that can exist below the threshold of violence. While acknowledging that around three-quarters of MI5's live counter-terrorism investigations concern Islamist terrorism, she said wider extremist movements, including the far-Right, are becoming an increasing concern. Khan defended the sentence handed to Lucy Connolly following the 2024 summer riots, arguing the circumstances justified the response. However, she was unequivocal when discussing the grooming gangs scandal, insisting authorities failed vulnerable girls by refusing to confront offenders because many were of Pakistani heritage. "We must treat people without fear or favour," she said, adding that victims should never be ignored to avoid offending religious sensitivities. As a British Muslim, she declared: "Not in my name." She also criticised the handling of the Batley Grammar School case, saying authorities "totally and utterly failed" the religious studies teacher who remains in hiding after showing pupils a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad. Khan said the school "threw him under the bus" in the name of anti-racism. Reflecting on her own upbringing in Bradford, Khan described Britain as her home and credited her parents with teaching civic responsibility and gratitude. She also recalled facing racist abuse at school while later witnessing Islamist groups attempting to convince young Muslims that British and Islamic identities were incompatible. Despite the challenges, Khan insisted Britain is not uniquely broken. She believes extremism can be challenged, former extremists can change, and stronger action against intimidation can help rebuild confidence in democracy while protecting free expression. Sara Khan interview: 'Idiot Muslims silence the moderates within our community'
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