Snail Trail induced students to spy on Muslims

Via Pickled Politics, London Student reports that the Mail on Sunday attempted to induce students at London universities to spy on meetings of Muslim student organisations. The offer came in an email from Sophie Borland (UCL graduate, 2004). The London Student followed up the offer, which resulted in this explanation from their education correspondent Glen Owen:

“I don’t know, anything that suggests that extremism is taking hold. It doesn’t matter what form it takes just as long as it gives any indication of extremism.”
At another point he explained: “Well, anything that gives a flavour of the more extreme end of things and any intelligence that you can pick up. It’s not a restricted task, it’s whatever would be of interest.”
He later said: “Anything interesting that’s thrown up. Language. Not just recruitment but discussions, plans of action.”

So, anything that might give them juice for a speculative scare story. Perhaps this is another one for the PCC?

I notice there is a threat of a boycott of the Mail group (London NUS shops don't sell the Sunday paper as they are closed on Sundays; they do sell the Daily Mail). Does anyone see any point to this? The organisation has a record of "ethical boycotts" such as a long-standing one on Nestlé, but what's the point of boycotting one unethical business if you sell their equally unethical rivals? You'll just end up with an empty shop.