UK terror threat linked to wars abroad, says Corbyn

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday said that the UK's involvement in military action abroad has fuelled the risk of terrorism at home.

Corbyn returned to the election campaign trail following the deadly Manchester Arena suicide bombing, which left 22 killed.

"Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries, such as Libya, and terrorism here at home," Corbyn said.

Corbyn said the sight of the army on Britain's streets after the attack is a clear sign that the UK's foreign policy and approach to fighting terrorism is not working, reported the Guardian.

His comments drew immediate criticism from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, with Defence Secretary Michael Fallon accusing Corbyn of "very muddled and dangerous thinking" that implied blame on Britain for somehow bringing upon itself the Manchester terror attack.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson intensified the attack, saying Corbyn's comments were "absolutely monstrous".

He said it was "absolutely extraordinary and inexplicable in this week of all weeks that there should be any attempt to justify or to legitimise the actions of terrorists in this way".

Liberal Democarts leader Tim Farron accused Corbyn of using the "grotesque" attack in Manchester to "make a political point".

However, Corbyn pitched his intervention carefully, saying he was clear that terrorists were entirely to blame for their own actions but that governments must also examine the effectiveness of their policy decisions.

"No rationale based on the actions of any government can remotely excuse, or even adequately explain, outrages like this week's massacre," Corbyn said, speaking in Westminster.

A Labour government would ensure that "our foreign policy reduces rather than increases the threat to this country", he added.

Corbyn delivered his speech as the country's political parties return to the campaign trail following the bombing at American singer Ariana Grande's pop concert, which killed 22 people and injured 116.

The Labour leader pledged a "change at home and change abroad" if Labour won power -- with a new foreign policy approach and more money for police, the NHS and security services.

--IANS

soni/vt