Government set to reject calls to define Islamophobia as a kind of racism - The Mirror

Ministers say the "definition has not been broadly accepted"

The Government is set to reject calls to define Islamophobia as a type of racism.

It comes after police chiefs claimed the proposed definition could undermine counter—terror laws.

The definition proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims reads: "Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness."

Its report on the definition said it had been reached after "widespread consultation with academics, lawyers, local and nationally elected officials, Muslim organisations, activists, campaigners and local Muslim communities".

But ministers are understood to be wary of backing the definition on free speech grounds.

A Government spokesperson said: “Any hatred directed against British Muslims and others because of their faith or heritage is utterly unacceptable.

“We are conscious that the APPG’s proposed definition has not been broadly accepted – unlike the IHRA definition of antisemitism before it was adopted by the UK Government and other international organisations and governments.

“This is a matter that needs further careful consideration.”

And according to BuzzFeed News , Communities Secretary James Brokenshire is set to reject the definition on freedom of speech grounds.

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "We take all reports of hate crime very seriously and will investigate them thoroughly, however we have some concerns about the proposed definition of 'Islamophobia' made by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims.

"We are concerned that the definition is too broad as currently drafted, could cause confusion for officers enforcing it, and could be used to challenge legitimate free speech on the historical or theological actions of Islamic states.

"There is also a risk it could also undermine counter-terrorism powers, which seek to tackle extremism or prevent terrorism.

"It is important that any definition of anti-Muslim hostility is widely consulted on and has support across the Muslim community."

Baroness Warsi, treasurer of the APPG, called the terrorism claim "extraordinary and disturbing" and said the definition does not seek to stop criticism of Islam.

The Times newspaper published a leaked letter that Mr Hewitt wrote to the Prime Minister raising his concerns.

Baroness Warsi said on Twitter that she had written to Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill about the leak because "the issues involve national security".

National Secular Society chief executive Stephen Evans said: "Several political parties, councils and public bodies have waved the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims' vague and unworkable definition of Islamophobia through without careful consideration of the consequences.

"If the Government adopts this definition it will restrict important discussion and debate and, as the criticism of senior officers shows, undermine the police's ability to keep people safe.

"We urge the Government and public bodies not to join the rush to adopt this definition. We must resist the urge to respond to anti-Muslim bigotry by going along with the censorious whims of some 'Muslim community leaders', chilling free expression and undermining social cohesion."