Agnieszka Kolek

The anti-Muslim hostility definition has had a chilling effect on free speech. Since its publication in March, it has been used to silence people who wish to criticise, debate or mock Islam — including private citizens, politicians and comedians. It has made it harder to speak about issues such as Islamist extremism and the grooming gangs scandal. Labour has revived Britain’s blasphemy laws for Islam alone, by the back door, 18 years after Parliament abolished them. Angela Rayner appointed five people to the Working Group tasked with developing the definition. Each of the five members had troubling links to Islamist organisations, and the Government will not say who it consulted as part of its call for evidence. So who on earth will it appoint as its “anti-Muslim hostility” tsar? The Free Speech Union does not have high hopes. Labour is chasing the Muslim vote after hampering support over recent years in Muslim communities. It is sacrificing our right to criticise religion on the altar of electoral ambition. It is both sinister and shameless.

Andy Burnham has met Muslim community leaders in Downing Street and accused his political rivals of using “completely unacceptable language”. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Angela Rayner, the Communities Secretary who began work on the Islamophobia definition, now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility”. Speaking to Muslim leaders around the Cabinet table, Mr Burnham said: “We want to counter any form of hatred, discrimination, Islamophobia, wherever we find it, and work with you to bring forward an agenda that says that to the community. “And I think perhaps the way the political debate is at times — Angela referenced some of the positions of opposition parties to us anyway — they are completely unacceptable. “And some of the language that they use about the community is unacceptable. “We just need to find ways with you to demonstrate that more and more.” This is shameless: another example of Labour accusing those who legitimately criticise Islam, its history and its practices of racism. It is also another sign of Labour chasing voters who have deserted the party in recent years — and sacrificing free speech on the altar of electoral ambition. Labour MPs have repeatedly branded opposition politicians who criticise Islam “Islamophobic”. Earlier this year, 26 Labour MPs reported Reform UK to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over its comments about Islam. Labour MPs also reported Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and branded him “Islamophobic”. He even faced calls to resign from then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after criticising a mass Muslim prayer event in Trafalgar Square. This is madness. Read more below 👇