Keir Starmer is facing mounting calls to scrap Labour’s controversial ‘Islamophobia’ definition in the wake of the grooming gangs scandal, amid concerns that it could stifle free speech and deter whistleblowers from exposing wrongdoing.
Critics warn that the proposed definition, drafted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, risks conflating legitimate criticism of Islam with prejudice against Muslims, creating a chilling effect on public debate.
The APPG definition, which was drawn up while Wes Streeting – now the Health Secretary – was its chairman, describes Islamophobia as “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”. While it has been formally adopted by Labour for internal purposes, as well as by the Liberal Democrats, SNP, Green Party, and several local authorities, critics argue it is dangerously vague and could suppress necessary discussions about cultural practices or religious beliefs. The Conservative Party has refused to adopt the definition, citing concerns over its potential impact on free speech.
Sources within Angela Rayner’s department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, have confirmed that officials are considering whether to introduce a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia.
Like the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, the APPG definition, which was adopted as a non-statutory definition by the then Conservative government in 2016, it would not be enshrined in law, but would quickly be adopted by public bodies including local councils, police forces and universities, to shape policies and procedures.
Concerns about the definition have been heightened by recent grooming gang scandals in towns such as Rotherham and Oldham, where gangs of predominantly Pakistani-heritage men targeted white girls. Critics fear the APPG definition would discourage honest discussions about such crimes for fear of accusations of Islamophobia. One contentious clause in the definition appears to suggest that referring to someone of Muslim heritage as a “sex groomer” could be considered Islamophobic, even in the context of legitimate reporting on criminal activity.
Robert Jenrick, the Shadow Justice Secretary, said: “Throughout the grooming gang scandal the false label of Islamophobia was used to silence people. It appears the Government has learnt nothing and is determined to press ahead with a definition that will have a chilling effect on freedom of speech.”
Tim Dieppe, Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, argued in a recent Free Speech Union briefing that attempts to define ‘Islamophobia’ and punish those accused of it, whether through cancellation or legal measures, would inevitably chill free speech. He warned that the APPG definition, by relying on perceptions, invites broad and subjective interpretations, deterring legitimate criticism of religious beliefs or practices. For instance, disputing Hamas’s description of Israel’s military actions as “genocide” or acknowledging Islam’s historical use of force to spread its beliefs could, under this definition, be labelled ‘Islamophobic’ and, by extension, racist.
Fiyaz Mughal, founder of the anti-Muslim hate monitoring group Tell Mama, described the APPG definition as a “smokescreen” that could stifle necessary scrutiny of cultural practices. “Bad behaviour wherever it is, in whichever religious group, needs to be called out,” he said. “This does not mean that all Muslim or all Pakistani men are bad. But when there is a concentration of issues within a certain group, we must hold the line in defence of our core values.”
Ann Cryer, the former Labour MP who first raised concerns about grooming gangs, echoed these fears, warning that local authorities had been “petrified of being called racist” and that the APPG definition could exacerbate such issues by prioritizing political correctness over the protection of vulnerable individuals.
The origins of the term “Islamophobia” date back to a 1997 report by the Runnymede Trust, which aimed to address prejudice against Muslims. Critics argue that its evolution into a broader concept has created legal and conceptual challenges. The APPG’s framing of Islamophobia as “a form of racism” has been particularly contentious. Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of the National Secular Society, said: “Conflating criticism of a religion with hatred towards Muslims distorts legitimate dialogue and undermines the vital principle of free expression.”
In September 2023, the government acknowledged some of these criticisms after the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) wrote to Angela Rayner raising “grave concerns” about the APPG definition. Lord Khan, the Faith Minister, admitted in his response that the definition did not align with the Equality Act, which defines race in terms of colour, ethnicity, and nationality—but not religion. However, he also indicated that the government would continue to seek a formalized definition of Islamophobia, stating: “Defining Islamophobia is a complex issue, and we want to ensure that any definition comprehensively reflects multiple perspectives and implications for different communities.”
Critics remain unconvinced. Dieppe warned: “While the conflation of religion and race is admitted to be a problem with the APPG definition, Lord Khan’s letter makes no mention of any of the other problems with this definition, not least that it is defined as targeting “expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”. Rooting a definition in perception opens the door to a whole range of interpretations and will certainly serve to inhibit freedom of speech when it comes to Islam.”
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, told the Telegraph: “There is no place for blasphemy laws in the United Kingdom. Free speech is the foundation of our national life and that includes the freedom to criticise and satirise any and all religions.”
He added: “The reporting on rape gangs this week exposed the conspiracy of silence and cover-up of organised gang rapes because of the identity of most perpetrators, showing how vital it is to be able to speak honestly about all parts of society without fear.”
A Government spokesman said: “We are committed to tackling hatred in all its forms, including Islamophobia, which has absolutely no place in our society. We will take into account a range of views and outline any updates on the government’s position in due course.”
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