“Thanks to the thousands who answered the rigged consultation, we have them on the run. Now the secrecy must stop. Ministers should publish the report and list all those consulted,” says Conservative MP Nick Timothy.
Labour has been forced to scrap its controversial definition of Islamophobia amid mounting concerns that it could stifle free speech, a move campaigners have hailed as a major victory for free expression.
The party’s working group has drawn up new wording to replace the contentious definition, substituting the term “Islamophobia” with “anti-Muslim hate”, according to reports in The Telegraph.
Crucially, all references to “Muslimness,” a phrase that critics said blurred the line between protecting individuals and protecting religion, have been removed.
In March 2019, while in opposition, Labour under Jeremy Corbyn adopted the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, adding it to the party’s code of conduct. It stated:
“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
However, the definition quickly drew fire from free speech advocates and parliamentarians who warned it risked becoming a de facto “blasphemy law”.
A review of the policy, led by former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve, has now produced a revised version that removes both “Islamophobia” and “Muslimness”. A source familiar with the process said the new text focuses on clearly defining hatred towards Muslims while safeguarding open discussion and criticism of religious ideas.
The proposed definition has been sent to Communities Secretary Steve Reed for approval. Mr Reed has previously insisted he would reject any wording that undermines freedom of expression, saying:
“I’m not going to bring in blasphemy laws by the back door.”
Conservative MP Nick Timothy led the charge against Labour’s proposed definition of “Islamophobia”, launching a nationwide campaign to ensure the British public had their say on what he warned could amount to a new blasphemy law. He accused Labour of “rigging” its consultation by inviting only select organisations and shutting out secular and free speech voices.
The Great British PAC quickly joined the fight, mobilising thousands of supporters to flood the consultation with responses. The group’s 300-strong “email warriors” also sent letters and submissions demanding transparency and urging ministers to reject any wording that could curb debate about Islam or Islamist extremism. Their coordinated campaign helped turn the consultation into a major flashpoint over freedom of speech and government accountability.
Claire Coutinho MP, the shadow minister for equalities, said the move came at a crucial time:
“In the weeks after an Islamic terror attack that saw two Jewish people killed, and just after Muslim Vote MPs campaigned to ban Israeli football fans from Aston Villa, we need to acknowledge that this definition risks having a chilling impact on our public sector bodies at exactly the wrong time.
“The whole process has been characterised by secrecy. They’ve tried to cook this up behind closed doors with radical activists, some of whom previously said that even talking about the grooming gangs was an example of anti-Muslim racism. They must publish this proposed definition and the responses from the public consultation they were forced into.
“Anti-Muslim hatred, like any form of hate, has no place in Britain. However, we cannot silence legitimate debate.”
Nick Timothy added:
“Thanks to the thousands who answered the rigged consultation, we have them on the run. Now the secrecy must stop. Ministers should publish the report and list all those consulted.”
The final wording, stripped of “Islamophobia” and references to “Muslimness,” is expected to be published once ministers sign off on the changes.
I cannot wait for the departure of this labour ehhhh not government for certain!!