Three Tory ex-home secretaries warn against politicising anti-extremism

Exclusive: Intervention by Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd just before Michael Gove unveils official definition of extremism

• ‘An appalling direction’: UK activists criticise plans to redefine extremism

Leading counter-terror and extremism experts, including three former Conservative home secretaries, have warned senior politicians against using extremism to score political points, as the communities secretary, Michael Gove, prepares to announce his controversial new anti-extremism plan.

Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd are among a dozen signatories to a joint statement warning about the risks of politicising anti-extremism, just days before the communities secretary unveils his proposals.