HOW I SEE IT - James Clark, Director of comms and PA, BearingPoint
There was more to this than a few column inches. Winning the ideological argument on Islamic extremism is key to the Government's strategy. This meeting was important in sending a message to young Muslims: there is another way.
Coverage was broadly favourable, or at least straight, with even The Sun and the Daily Mail exploring the issue of 'turning' extremists. While some outlets suggested the PM had 'risked controversy', it was only one or two columnists that blew a gasket.
The PM met those who had already renounced violence. This made it tough for the media to accuse him of 'shaking hands with terrorists' without adding some context. This meeting will have achieved pretty much everything No 10 and the FCO were hoping for.
HIT.
