(C) C-DI8-00223: PROBABLE UK REACTION TO DUTCH

S E C R E T LONDON 000676

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER KISL UK
SUBJECT: (C) C-DI8-00223: PROBABLE UK REACTION TO DUTCH
ANTI-ISLAM VIDEO

REF: STATE 20821

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons
1.4 (b,d)


1. (S) In response to ref questions, Post informally
contacted Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group
regarding measures HMG may be taking in preparation for the
release of the Dutch anti-Islam video. To the best of the
Diplomatic Protection Group's knowledge, no specific
protective intelligence unit is being established or other
additional protective steps planned in advance of the
possible release of the film. A specific diplomatic
protective unit was established after publication of the
Danish cartoons, but has since disbanded. At present the
Metropolitan Police have no intelligence on planned protests
or possible disorder in the UK associated with the release of
the film. Should the film be released, Metropolitan Police
intelligence units will monitor the situation. (Embassy
comment. Post RSO is aware that the Danish embassy in London
suffered criminal damage the week of March 3, 2008, in
response to several cartoons which were reprinted in Danish
newspapers. End comment.)


2. (S) If the release of the video sparks demonstrations in
the UK similar to those that occurred when the Danish
cartoons were published in 2006, Post would expect the
Metropolitan Police to monitor and video any demonstration.
Any demonstrators who call for violence will subsequently be
arrested (but not during the demonstration). Depending on
what demonstrators may say, they will be arrested or detained
and charged for incitement to terrorism. MI5 (the domestic
security service) will review the background of any
individuals who participate in demonstrations and call for
violence. The recently strengthened "incitement to
terrorism" legislation is too new for the Embassy (or HMG) to
know whether any charges brought against individuals for
statements made at a demonstration over the film would
survive court challenge. Senior Home Office (Ministry of
Interior) officials have told the Embassy that they are not
overly concerned that terror charges will be struck down by
UK courts.


3. (U) Only a few papers in the UK published the Danish
cartoons during the controversy over their publication in a
Danish paper. At the time of the cartoon controversy,
protests were held at the Danish Embassy and elsewhere in
which placards calling for bombings of civilians were
displayed. Ultimately several persons were prosecuted on
charges of incitement.


4. (C) Post has spoken with officials in the Home Office
(RICU) who are in charge of HMG's public diplomacy/counter
terrorism messaging. RICU officials are aware of the Dutch
anti-Islam video and will develop public diplomacy talking
points for British officials domestic and abroad should the
videos cause a reaction in Britain's Muslim communities or
provoke demonstrations of protest.

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