A POLITICAL row is threatening to break out over a Channel 4 drama depicting a young Muslim driven to become Britain’s first female suicide bomber.

The two-part film, Britz, to be shown on Wednesday and Thursday, tries to explain what could lead a second-generation Muslim to turn against the country of her birth.

Britz has been made by Peter Kosminsky, the director of the 2002 political drama The Project. It suggests that Britain’s foreign policy and draconian antiterror laws, particularly control orders which keep some suspects in effect under house arrest, have alienated Muslims.

The film has already irritated some ministers and moderate Muslims. Khurshid Ahmed, chairman of the British Muslim Forum, said: “A film which attempts to glamorise or rationalise the actions of suicide bombers has no place on our screens. Channel 4 should be working with us to defeat terrorism and extremism, not sowing hate and division in our communities and reinforcing negative stereotypes.

A government source said: “Having seen extracts from the film and heard Mr Kosminsky’s comments, we can understand the British Muslim Forum’s concerns. Given Channel 4’s remit as a public service broadcaster, they should listen to the views of moderate Muslims who reject violence and extremism, and they should air those views alongside this film.” Channel 4 described Britz “balanced” and “sensitive”.

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