CP
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been forced to extend and expand a controversial consultation on a new definition of “Islamophobia” following pressure from free speech advocates, legal campaigners, and senior Conservative figures.
The Labour-run consultation had come under fierce criticism for being “secretive” and “rigged,” with opponents warning it risked becoming a backdoor blasphemy law that would stifle free speech and legitimate debate about Islam.
The public consultation, previously only circulated to selected, undisclosed groups, will now be open for an additional week until 20 July, and for the first time, a public link has been made available for responses.
The climbdown comes after the Free Speech Union (FSU) threatened legal action and wrote to Ms Rayner to express concern about the process, which critics said was “heavily weighted” towards a predetermined outcome.
Lord Young, General Secretary of the FSU, warned the consultation risked rubber-stamping the controversial 2018 definition endorsed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, which declares:
“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
He argued that this definition was so expansive it could criminalise criticism of Islamic beliefs and practices, suppress satire, and chill academic and public discourse.
“I’m glad the working group has abandoned its plans to confine its consultation to a small group of hand-picked activists in response to my letter,” Lord Young said.
“But given that the group will now be carrying out a proper consultation and extending the deadline, I trust it will delay coming up with a definition of Islamophobia until it has had a proper chance to consider all the responses.Hoping to complete its work within a couple of months is now completely unrealistic.”
The FSU also criticised the exclusion of key organisations that could challenge the definition or defend freedom of expression — such as Christian Concern, the Christian Institute, the Adam Smith Institute, and even the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Conservative MP Nick Timothy, alongside campaign group Great British PAC, has also led calls for the public to respond in large numbers to what he labelled a “rigged” process.
Mr Timothy warned earlier this month:
“These processes are designed deliberately to be opaque so publicly-funded activists can dominate the debate at the expense of taxpayers like you.”
A spokesperson for the Great British PAC welcomed the Government’s retreat:
“It should never have taken legal threats for Labour to publish this consultation and open it up to the public. The idea that a handful of activists could quietly push through a definition that threatens free speech is deeply alarming.
We urge as many people as possible to take part before the new deadline. No religion — including Islam — should be shielded from debate, criticism or satire. This is about defending one of our most fundamental freedoms.”
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told the Telegraph:
“The independent working group is listening to a broad range of views and perspectives.
The call for evidence will enable them to build on the extensive consultation already undertaken, ensuring the advice provided to Government reflects diverse experiences and opinions, while also safeguarding our vital and unwavering right to freedom of speech.”
The public can now submit their views to the consultation here.
This article (Angela Rayner Backs Down on Islamophobia Definition Plans After Legal Threats and Public Backlash) was created and published by Conservative Post and is republished here under “Fair Use” with attribution to the author CP
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