Welsh think tank researcher was ‘ashamed’ about comments on teaching Islam in schools

A Welsh think tank has published a report by a former UKIP candidate who apologised and said he was “ashamed” after making comments about teaching Islam in schools.

The Centre for Welsh Studies tasked its Senior Research Associate, Myles Power with researching the charity sector in Wales.

Myles Power apologised in 2015 while standing as Manchester Central’s UKIP candidate after saying that the party believed children taught about Islam often felt “uncherished by the British establishment”,

The Centre for Welsh Studies has recently published ‘Taxpayer Funded Charity Sector in Wales: Time for Reform?’, written by Mr Power.

The think tank however staunchly defended its decision to task Mr Power with the research, and has said it will not engage in “cancel culture”.

Mr Power was speaking at the National Youth Debate at the People’s History Museum, when he made the remarks.

He told the audience: “We don’t agree with young people being… having some sort of Islamic teachings and made to feel that they’re not cherished by the British establishment.

“We just feel that this needs to be brought back into line within the current education policy; that’s what we actually need to do. We need to stop this sort of thing that’s going on in schools.”

According to the Manchester Evening News the audience members, mostly 16 to 25-year-olds, gasped and laughed in disbelief as Mr Power made the comments.

Mr Power later told the newspaper: “I’m ashamed by what I said.”

He added: “But what I was trying to say was I’m wanting to ensure young people are protected against radicalisation. I’m in no way racist.

“I didn’t mean all Islamic teaching but not being a professional politician, just an average working man, I’m not as smoothly-polished as some of the other parties’ candidates.”

‘Experience’

Matthew MacKinnon, Director of the Centre for Welsh Studies, told Nation.Cymru: “Firstly, Myles Power is not employed by the Centre for Welsh Studies. He has been contributing research to us for over six months now.

“He is a Senior Research Associate Researcher who contributes research on a piece by piece basis.

“Myles has a lengthy career spanning decades in law and working as a senior researcher in the European Parliament. His experience and knowledge is second to none.

“We do not and will not engage in the type of cancel culture you are hinting that we should engage in.”