Britons more suspicious of Muslims than other western nations: poll

Around 52 per cent also expected a “major terrorist attack” in the country within the next 12 months and consider Muslims “a threat to national security”.

By contrast, even in Spain where the Basque extremist group ETA recently abandoned a ceasefire, only 32 per cent predicted a big attack. The numbers fell to 30 per cent in the US and 15 to 18 per cent in France, Italy and Germany.

Also, 46 per cent of Britons felt Muslims had too much political power, compared to just 20 per cent of American respondents.

However, on a more personal measures of integration — having Muslim friends and accepting the marriage of their child to a Muslim — Britons showed more enthusiasm than some other countries.

The findings suggest that terrorist plots against the UK, including the London bombings of July 7, 2005, have hardened British attitudes towards Muslims. Osama Saeed of the Muslim Association of Britain blamed the findings on what he called “a vicious campaign” by the press against the Muslim community.