Shahid Butt, a convicted terrorist who once fought in Afghanistan and Kashmir and was jailed in Yemen for plotting attacks, is running as an independent candidate in Birmingham's Sparkhill ward. Despite claiming to have renounced extremism and working for over two decades to steer young people away from radicalisation, Butt has recently described jihad as a 'compassionate act' and urged Muslims not to befriend Jews and Christians in interviews. He has also supported protests against Israeli football teams and made controversial remarks about violence at demonstrations, though he insists he condemns groups like Isis and does not hate other faiths. Butt's candidacy has sparked criticism from anti-extremism campaigners and politicians, who question whether someone with his background should hold elected office.