Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
The UK Labour government’s new definition of “anti-Muslim hostility” – rebranded from “Islamophobia” – is being influenced by a working group where every single member has ties to Islamist organizations.
The Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing reveals the connections between group members and controversial organizations such as the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), which have been deemed extreme by governments since 2009.
One member, Baroness Gohir, expressed support for Hamas in 2014, while another was associated with the far-left, Islamist-supporting Respect Party.
The Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing reveals that ALL FIVE members of the Government’s working group tasked with defining “Islamophobia” — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility” — have troubling links to Islamist organisations.
These include the Muslim Council… https://t.co/MZsgc4amKF
— The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) April 8, 2026
The Free Speech Union emphasizes that in a free society, no religion should receive preferential treatment over others or be shielded from valid criticism and scrutiny. They raise concerns about the group’s predisposition towards a specific definition.
Conservative MP Katie Lam warns that the new definition of “anti-Muslim hostility” will hinder discussions on issues like Islamist extremism, FGM, and grooming gangs, instead of addressing them directly.
The government’s recent report, “Protecting What Matters,” introduced the non-statutory definition alongside plans for a special representative on Muslim hostility. Despite claims of protecting free speech, the composition of the panel tells a different story.
Recent revelations highlight the government’s attempt to stifle criticism of Islam under the guise of combating hostility, while crucial issues such as grooming gangs and Islamist extremism are neglected.
The ongoing assault on Britain’s free speech tradition is alarming, with the government prioritizing the protection of a specific ideology over upholding an open society.
The Free Speech Union urges for resistance against this encroaching blasphemy regime that threatens to silence essential conversations that the country needs to have.
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