LONDON, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- British Conservative Leader David Cameron accused the government Tuesday of failing to do enough to combat the growth of domestic extremism.
Speaking five days after police disrupted an alleged plot to blow up airliners bound for the United States, he called for tougher action against so-called "preachers of hate" and the enforcement of existing anti-terror legislation.
"I do not believe that our government is doing enough to fight Islamist extremists at home or to protect our security," he told a London news conference.
Cameron said that although the government had talked tough on extremism following last year's July 7 bombings, it had done "precious little" in practical terms.
Ministers set up a Preventing Extremism Taskforce with representatives of the Muslim community after the July attacks. But Cameron noted that few of its recommendations had so far been implemented.
"We need follow-through when the headlines have moved on," he added.
His comments came amid renewed debate in Britain as to how best to combat the growth in extremism and protect the public.
Cameron called for greater investment in the police and security services, a new minister for homeland security and for intercept evidence to be made admissable in court.
He cautioned against further legislation, saying the government was failing to use existing laws to deal with the radicalization "that is rife within our shores."
Ministers had made little progress on deporting "preachers of hate" accused of inciting terrorism in Britain, he said.
But Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who is in charge of the country while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday, accused Cameron of hypocrisy.
The Conservatives had failed to support many of the counter-terrorism measures that the government had introduced, he said, adding: "David Cameron's remarks are almost beyond belief."
