Human rights organisation Amnesty has defended joining up with Cage — a Muslim advocacy group widely accused of having sympathised with terrorists — to criticise the government’s counter-terror strategy.

More than a dozen groups said in a joint statement this week that they would boycott a review of the government-led Prevent programme.

The joint statement, which was also signed by Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) — long accused of having links to Islamists — attacked William Shawcross’ appointment to lead the probe, citing his “well-known record and previous statements on Islam.”

In a statement Amnesty told the JC it “signed this statement, alongside several other organisations, to express important concerns about the lack of independence of the review into Prevent”.

The signatories of the statement on Prevent said they “cannot be complicit in a process that serves only to rubber stamp a fundamentally flawed strategy.”

Responding to the joint statement, Labour called for Mr Shawcross to be replaced.

A party spokesman said: “It is clear that the way the Prevent Review is being handled by the government has not been able to win the trust of a wide range of community representatives that are important participants in this vital work.

“This undermines the exercise from the outset — Ministers should reconsider its appointment of the Independent Reviewer and reflect on their mishandling of this.”

Cage drew outrage in 2015 when its research director hailed notorious Isis terrorist Jihadi John as a “beautiful young man” who was “extremely kind and gentle”.

On its website, Cage denies accusations that it is an apologist for terrorists, saying its goal is to “simply ensure that the pursuit of justice is carried out fairly.”

Mend also denies allegations of extremism.

Mr Shawcross is a member of the consortium that bought the JC in April last year.