A WOMAN who works for the Government’s counter-terrorism unit has been posting backing for extremists online.

Samiya Butt, a co-ordinator with Prevent, a taxpayer-funded role, changed her profile picture on Facebook to show support for Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend).

4 Samiya Butt changed her Facebook profile picture to support Mend despite job

She changed it to advertise Mend’s logo for its Islamophobia awareness month, which features a finger pointing upwards that has been used by ISIS fighters in propaganda images.

Ms Butt, who is responsible for allocating funds locally in Manchester to combat radicalisation, also posted a picture of a Mend event with the caption #iam2016.

In September 2015 Mend organised a 200-strong march in east London to protest against Prevent.

4 Sufyan Ismail, chief exec of Mend spoke about the group's need for political influence

Ms Butt is also Facebook friends with Mend’s director, Azad Ali, an extremist who has supported the killing of British troops and praised al-Qaeda ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki.

Henry Jackson Society research fellow, Rupert Sutton, said: “Mend has been part of a deeply damaging campaign to undermine public confidence in counter-radicalisation efforts at a time when they are needed more than ever.

"Prevent delivery staff should be vigorously challenging Mend’s anti-Prevent activism, not working with them under any circumstances.”

4 Mend flyer advertised on social media where Samiya Butt openly supports the Muslim group

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While the demand for legalising fighting in Syria does not appear in Mend’s Muslim Manifesto, the group’s chief exec, Sufyan Ismail, said during a talk at the Zakariyya Central Mosque in Bolton, that if the group had influence within the political system, it could make it easier for Britons to fight in Syria.

A spokesman for the anti-terror group the Quilliam Foundation said: "The role is not suitable for her, as there is an obvious conflict of interest.”

4 As a Prevent employee Ms Butt should be challenging Mends anti-Prevent activism

A Manchester City Council spokesman said: "Officers working on this complex agenda, including Samiya Butt as the city's Prevent co-ordinator, have to engage with a wide range of individuals and groups - including sometimes those who do not agree with some elements of the approach - in order to promote dialogue and challenge those who attempt to create divisions and tension.

"Careful checks are always done around any work with any individuals or groups to ensure they do not promote extremist activities or views."

We made several attempts to contact Ms Butt for comment but could not reach her.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We expect any person involved with safeguarding people from exploitation to challenge extremism wherever they find it and to work with those who actively challenge dangerous views and division.”