Labour will overrule its independent advisers on the definition of Islamophobia if they suggest it is letting “blasphemy laws [in] by the back door”, Steve Reed has claimed.
Ministers have commissioned advice on the definition of anti-Muslim hatred, due to a rise in incidents after the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, 2023.
A working group will suggest how the Government should classify discrimination, but campaigners have warned that a stricter definition could harm free speech.
They raised concerns that could effectively ban any criticism of Islam and increase community tensions by creating a “two-tier” enforcement of discrimination.
The Communities Secretary, Mr Reed, said he is willing to overrule Dominic Grieve, who is chairing the working group, if he claims it would restrict legitimate speech.
Mr Reed explained: “We haven’t got a definition to introduce yet.
“There’s a group working on it, and we’ll have to look at what they propose. But at the front of my mind in taking that decision will be that I will defend free speech.”
Mr Reed replaced Angela Rayner by providing a definition earlier this month.
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Steve Reed is prepared to overrule Labour’s independent advisers
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PAHe said free speech “must come first” and argued that “people don’t have a right not to be offended”.
Mr Reed continued: “I’m not going to bring in blasphemy laws by the back door.
“So let’s wait and see what the independent group comes up with, and then we’ll take a view. But if people are concerned about it, there will be no infringement of free speech whatsoever.”
Ms Rayner previously said that targeting British Muslims was “unacceptable and has no place in our society” and that she would work to ensure “everyone feels safe and welcome”.
However, a definition of Islamophobia from 2018, which the Tories rejected but Labour adopted, has been criticised for being so widely drawn.
It defines Islamophobia as “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”.
Leading campaigners against anti-Muslim hatred have said that creating an official definition of Islamophobia risks “two-tier” enforcement by police.
Others argue that definitions of racism should remain focused on colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins, not “expressions” of a religion.
Ms Coutinho said: ‘Labour are doubling down by introducing a state-sanctioned definition of Islamophobia’
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GETTYShadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho warned that the definition risks enhancing the “culture of censorship”, potentially giving “impunity” to grooming gangs.
She told The Times: “Labour are doubling down by introducing a state-sanctioned definition of Islamophobia, which will intensify the culture of censorship that allowed the grooming gangs to carry out their crimes with impunity.
“An official definition of Islamophobia, specifically designed to be adopted by our institutions and public services, will shut down difficult but necessary conversations about grooming gangs, gender equality, and even Islamist extremism.
“It would create a special status for one group above others, which risks further breeding resentment and making our community cohesion problems worse.”