Britain faces a growing threat from the far-right, which shares many of the characteristics of Islamic extremism, the Home Secretary warns today.

Sajid Javid will underline the government’s continued commitment to the controversial Prevent programme as a “vital” part of efforts to counter global terrorism.

In his first major speech since becoming Home Secretary, he will say: “The biggest threat is from Islamist terrorism - including Al Qa’ida, but particularly from Daesh .

"But the threat doesn’t only come from Daesh. Extreme right-wing terrorism is also an increasing threat.

"Daesh and the extreme right are more similar than they might like to think.”

(Image: PA)

The UK is expected to stay on high alert against attacks from Islamist terrorism ‘for at least two more years’ - and the danger could increase further still.

But the Home Secretary will warn that the threat from terrorism is evolving.

He will say: “We assess the threat from extreme right-wing terrorism is growing. The threat from terrorism is constantly evolving.

“Globally, terrorist groups and networks of all ideologies continue to develop organically, exploiting social media, technology and science to further their aims and ambitions.”

Twelve Islamist plots have been foiled since March 2017 and four extreme right-wing plots have been disrupted.

Addressing an audience of counter-terrorism experts, Mr Javid will defend the government’s Prevent programme.

He will argue that “misapprehensions around Prevent are often based on distortions”.

He will say: “They are based on a lack of understanding about the grassroots work involved, and the efforts by civil society groups and public sector workers to project vulnerable people”.

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Critics of the scheme, which forces councils and schools to report people who are at risk of radicalisation, say it is heavy-handed and stigmatises Muslims.

It comes as a senior Tory warns Vladimir Putin's modern warfare strategy will threaten Western stability "for years to come". The Kremlin's use of hackers, trolls, paid protesters and misinformation are all part of a "full spectrum" destabilisation strategy, Tory MP Bob Seely argues. Mr Seely, who likened the approach to a Russian doll, said at least 50 tools of state power are being used in a bid to interfere abroad.