London mayor Sadiq Khan’s ‘integration’ deputy spoke at conference run by controversial group who defended ISIS extremist Jihadi John
Matthew Ryder has been picked to improve relations between the capital’s communities and help them work and live side by side
LONDON’S new deputy mayor once spoke at an event run by a notorious group that defended the actions of ISIS executioner Jihadi John, it has emerged.
Matthew Ryder has been picked by Sadiq Khan to improve integration between the capital’s many communities and help them work and live side by side.
He is a leading human rights barrister and part-time criminal judge and the first ever deputy mayor for social integration, social mobility and community engagement.
Three years ago he shared his extensive legal knowledge at a conference organised by controversial organisation CAGE.
The group provoked a public outcry last year after it defended the actions of ISIS executioner Mohammed Emwazi, better known as Jihadi John.
CAGE blamed the security services for Emwazi's actions, while then director Asim Qureshi called the knife-wielding terrorist a “beautiful, gentle young man”.
A video of the September 2013 conference shows Mr Ryder being introduced by Mr Qureshi.
Mr Quereshi is no longer the director of CAGE.
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The focus of the event was a piece of Terror Act legislation which gives officers the power to stop and search and then detain people at border control points.
Mr Ryder was invited to speak about an ongoing case which challenged the legislation.
The event took place two years before CAGE held a press conference where it defended the actions of Jihadi John.
A spokesman for the Mayor of London said Mr Ryder did not endorse CAGE and had never worked for the organisation.
He is set to join the mayor’s team next month.
Announcing the appointment Mr Khan said: “I am thrilled that Matthew has agreed to join my team at City Hall and to help me find ways of improving the social integration of our city.
“We are extremely lucky to have so many fantastic communities in London, but there is no point in having that diversity if they do not mix with each other and helping that happen is a huge challenge.
“We have to strengthen the bonds between Londoners of every background and I believe that Matthew is the very best person for this important role.”
A spokesman for the Mayor of London told Mail Online: “Matthew Ryder has never worked for CAGE.
“His attendance at a conference three years ago was to speak about a specific legal case and did not signal any endorsement of the organisation.”