Communities Secretary: Islamophobia definition must not restrict free speech

Communities Secretary Steve Reed has stated that any official definition of Islamophobia must not compromise freedom of speech.

He emphasised the right to “criticise or even mock” religion, amid concerns that such a definition could unintentionally restrict open debate.

Speaking at a fringe event during the Labour Party Conference, Reed said, “Paramount in my mind would be the need to protect free speech. We won’t allow the introduction of blasphemy laws by the back door.”

He added: “Nobody has the right not to be offended... Free speech is very, very important, but I don’t want to see incitement to violence and hatred against individual communities.”

A working group formed under former Communities Secretary Angela Rayner is due to report its recommendations next week.

The origins of Labour’s proposal date back to 2019, when the party, then in opposition, adopted the definition set out by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims.

It described Islamophobia as “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

Critics say the vague wording could lead to almost any comment deemed offensive to Muslims being categorised as Islamophobic and risks shielding Islam itself from scrutiny, rather than simply protecting Muslims from discrimination.

They point to the grooming gangs scandal, where police were accused of failing to act due to fears of being labelled racist. Some now warn that a formal definition of Islamophobia could make such hesitancy even more likely.

There are also fears that codifying Islamophobia could limit free speech. For example, during Prime Minister’s Questions last year, MP Tahir Ali called for a ban on “the desecration of religious texts” and “Abrahamic prophets”.

His comments came during Islamophobia Awareness Month and followed a UN resolution condemning Quran desecration. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded by pledging to tackle “Islamophobia in all its forms.”

Critics argue that this demonstrates how the proposed definition could move towards restricting legitimate criticism of religion and introduce restrictions reminiscent of blasphemy laws.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the most senior Muslim in government, also raised these concerns.

She warned that giving Muslims “special treatment” could inflame tensions and increase community division.

“It’s imperative that whichever solution you come to... doesn’t create further conditions that increase hatred,” she said.

While acknowledging that a working definition of antisemitism exists to protect Jewish communities, Mahmood said “specific solutions for specific communities” might be appropriate — but only if they reduce hatred and do not curtail free speech.