Islamophobia Working Group Chair Says Definition May Be Unnecessary
3 min read
The chair of the Islamophobia Working Group told MPs and peers that there may not be a need for an Islamophobia definition, PoliticsHome understands.
Dominic Grieve KC, working group chair and former Tory attorney general, consulted parliamentarians on his team’s progress in producing a definition on Thursday.
At the meeting, Grieve told attendees that the working group may conclude there is no need to come up with a definition, PoliticsHome understands.
However, he said that if it decides to write one, which it would then recommend to the government, then it will likely be published in September.
Grieve, who declined PoliticsHome's request for comment, stressed to MPs and peers that any definition would not impact free speech laws.
The former Conservative MP also told MPs and peers that there are several different definitions of Islamophobia in public life, and that it would be more helpful and liberal to come up with a universal definition to replace censorious versions used by some institutions.
The working group’s call for public evidence will run for four weeks before closing on 13 July. All responses sent will be anonymous unless respondents choose to disclose evidence about themselves.
Attendees included the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Baroness (Kishwer) Falkner, former Tory party chair Baroness (Sayeeda) Warsi, free speech campaigner Lord (Toby) Young, and Labour MP Naz Shah.
PoliticsHome understands that Shah, the MP for Bradford West, criticised those who were questioning the adoption of a definition and the tone of the debate.
Another peer in attendance, Conservative Lord (Daniel) Moylon, told the room that there was a distinct difference between anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
Baroness (Claire) Fox, who was also at the meeting, told PoliticsHome that the process should be more transparent, and urged for more consultation with free speech organisations.
“I was glad to have the opportunity," she said. “It was good to have the meeting. But on reflection, I'd like to know what the purpose of it was.
“My plea to Dominic Grieve was that, at the very least, the process should be much more open about who's consulted, who's given what roles, what we do now.”
Last month, PoliticsHome obtained a survey that was sent to stakeholders interested in contributing to defining Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hate.
The questionnaire looked for views on the terminology used, the need for a definition, what should be included, whether racism should be a component of the definition, and examples of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.
The Anti-Muslim Hatred / Islamophobia Working Group will report to Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The government said it retains the right not to accept recommendations made by the group.
