UK Islamophobia Definition Row: Deputy PM Angela Rayner backs down amid backlash over de-facto ‘blasphemy regulation’ | World News

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 1: Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister; Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, leaves after attending the weekly assembly of Cabinet minsters at 10 Downing Street on July 1, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been pressured to again down from her push to outline Islamophobia after intense backlash from free speech campaigners, authorized threats, and criticism from a number of group teams.The controversy erupted after Rayner’s workplace launched a session to craft an official authorities definition of Islamophobia, appointing a 16-member working group generally known as the “Islamophobia Council” to sort out anti-Muslim hatred. The proposed working definition, based mostly on a 2018 parliamentary report, described Islamophobia as “a type of racism targeting expressions of Muslimness.”Critics swiftly objected. Free speech advocates warned that equating criticism of spiritual practices with racism risked stifling legit debate, probably making a de facto blasphemy regulation. Hindu, Sikh, and secular organisations raised considerations that focusing solely on anti-Muslim hate ignored threats confronted by different non secular minorities in Britain. Insight UK and the Hindu Council UK known as for a unified Religious Hate Council to make sure all communities are protected equally.Dominic Grieve, former Tory lawyer normal and writer of the foreword to the 2018 definition, is tipped to chair the council. However, critics argue that reusing the 2018 formulation may dangerously blur the strains between racial discrimination and legitimate non secular critique, together with discussions round Islamist extremism and grooming gangs.In response to rising strain, together with a authorized menace from the Free Speech Union which described the method as having a “predetermined outcome,” Rayner has now prolonged the session deadline to July 20 and made it publicly accessible to all stakeholders. The session course of has additionally been expanded to incorporate beforehand excluded teams such because the Christian Institute, Adam Smith Institute, Christian Concern, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.The authorities maintains that its purpose is to guard Muslim communities from hate crimes whereas safeguarding freedom of expression. However, the episode has highlighted deep divides over how Britain tackles non secular hatred with out undermining civil liberties.With the session closing subsequent week, officers are anticipated to launch a revised draft definition later this month, probably with softened language or a broader remit to cowl all religion teams. For now, Rayner’s retreat underscores the political tightrope of combating discrimination whereas preserving the liberty to query non secular ideologies.