Angela Rayner was due to put through the new definition, but the role has now been given to Steve Reed.
Labour has been accused of potentially letting grooming gangs operate with ‘impunity’. (Image: Getty)
A new definition of Islamophobia will allow grooming gangs in Britain to operate with “impunity”, a Tory has warned. Shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho accused Labour of only bringing in the policy to appease the pro-Palestine candidates in the next election. The former shadow net zero secretary said it could increase censorship as one group is given “special status” over others.
She wrote in 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.
Claire Coutinho urged the Government to scrap their plans. (Image: Getty)
“It would create a special status for one group above others, which risks further breeding resentment and making our community cohesion problems worse.”
Angela Rayner was due to put through the new definition, but the role has now been given to Steve Reed.
Currently, Labour’s website says there is “no single agreed definition of Islamophobia”, but points to one that described it as “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness”.
Ms Coutinho said changes to this would put Muslim people “on a pedestal” and urged the Government to scrap their plan immediately.
She added: “Ministers argue they must provide a definition to tackle the very real anti-Muslim hate that people face – whether that be violence or harassment because of their religion.
“They talk about bricks being thrown through mosque windows, or hijabs being pulled off in the street. These are disgusting acts which are, rightly, already illegal – as evidenced by the people who have already been convicted under existing criminal law.
“In reality, Labour is not seeking to change criminal law. Instead, this is a misguided attempt to stave off the electoral threat that The Muslim Vote candidates pose to Labour seats.
“If we learn anything from the horrific mistakes made over the grooming gangs and dangerous gender ideology it must be this: we cannot put some groups in society on a pedestal, free from legitimate challenge. Labour must scrap this definition now.”
