British foreign minister says 'apologists' partly responsible for terrorism

British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond addresses the media in London, Tuesday March 10, 2015, commenting on the situation in Ukraine and Britain's Intelligence and Security services. Hammond strongly defended Britain’s intelligence services, countering recent allegations by Muslim advocacy organization CAGE, saying people who act as "apologists" for terrorists are partly to blame. (AP Photo/Justin Tallis, pool) (The Associated Press)

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British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond arrives to addresses the media in London, Tuesday March 10, 2015, commenting on the situation in Ukraine and Britain's Intelligence and Security services. Hammond strongly defended Britain’s intelligence services, countering recent allegations by Muslim advocacy organization CAGE, saying people who act as "apologists" for terrorists are partly to blame. (AP Photo/Justin Tallis, pool) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Britain's foreign minister says people who act as "apologists" for terrorists are partly to blame for their actions.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond was countering allegations by Muslim advocacy organization CAGE, which says heavy-handed attention from British spies helped turn Londoner Mohammed Emwazi into the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John."

Hammond said Tuesday "the responsibility for acts of terror rests with those who commit them. But a huge burden of responsibility also lies with those who act as apologists for them."

Britain's intelligence services have been criticized for allowing Emwazi to travel to Syria, although he had been on their radar for years.

Hammond said parents, schools and community workers, "as well as the authorities and airports and airline operators," must be responsible for stopping young people becoming militants.