Communities Secretary Assures Anti-Muslim Hate Definition Won't Impede Free Speech
Communities Secretary Steve Reed has firmly pledged that the government's new definition of anti-Muslim hate will not restrict freedom of speech, addressing concerns from critics who warned it could create backdoor blasphemy laws. The announcement comes as part of a broader social cohesion strategy set to be unveiled on Monday, which also emphasizes the importance of English language learning for integration.
Addressing Concerns About Speech Restrictions
Critics of efforts to establish a new definition for Islamophobia have expressed worries that such measures could inadvertently create blasphemy laws through alternative means and limit discussions about Islamic extremism. However, Mr. Reed told the Press Association that the new definition is "very robust, defines the problem of anti-Muslim hostility and therefore helps us to tackle it, but doesn't infringe those things people were concerned about, such as freedom of speech."
He added emphatically: "There will be no blasphemy laws by the back door, absolutely not. And the task force under the chairmanship of Dominic Grieve, the former Conservative government minister, have been very focused on making sure that the definition doesn't operate in that way."
Mr. Reed further clarified that "Freedom of speech and the right to criticise religion in general, or any religion in particular, is an absolute and we would not put forward a definition that in any way restricted that."
Social Cohesion Strategy and Integration Measures
The government is preparing to publish its comprehensive plan for social cohesion, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer cautioning against politicians who attempt to "point fingers and divide." The strategy is expected to include multiple measures designed to promote integration, tackle religious hatred, and clamp down on extremist influence within institutions such as charities and universities.
Mr. Reed confirmed that the government is considering appointing an anti-Muslim hate tsar, similar to the existing antisemitism tsar, "so we can learn from what's happened with the antisemitism strategy to target some of the extraordinarily high levels of abuse that are targeted at the Muslim community."
Emphasis on English Language Learning
During his announcement, Mr. Reed also highlighted the need for a "greater expectation" that people coming to the UK learn English. Recalling his own experience teaching Vietnamese refugees while a student in Sheffield, he told PA: "There needs to be a greater expectation that people will and should learn English, so we have communities operating together."
He elaborated further: "It's essential that everyone living together in a community speaks the same language. Otherwise they can't communicate. And if people can't communicate, you don't have a community."
Specific Measures in the Cohesion Plan
The social cohesion strategy includes several concrete initiatives:
- A new confidential whistleblowing route for university staff to raise concerns about extremism
- A "campus cohesion charter" to enhance protection for students and staff
- Enhanced powers for the Charity Commission to shut down charities and remove trustees involved in extremist activities
- An annual report detailing the nature and scale of extremism threats facing the UK
- Bolstering of the visa watchlist taskforce to block hate preachers and extremists from entering the country
Mr. Reed explained that the whistleblowing route "is intended to ensure that they (universities) remain open spaces for free thinking and free debate," while helping institutions meet their Prevent duty requirements.
Political Context and Responses
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaking during a separate London visit, emphasized that the UK is a diverse nation where people can live together in tolerance. He expressed concern about "people in politics who want to set up grievances between different groups of people, to point fingers and divide and say that we can't be one country, we can't be one community."
Sir Keir noted that the current Iran conflict is being used to divide communities within the UK, but stressed that the new strategy is "not just a reaction to this conflict, it is much broader, which is how we bring the country together."
Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly responded critically, stating: "This is a Government that talks about extremism and division but is too weak to take the action actually required. After the Gorton and Denton by-election it's clear Labour would rather pander to the extremes than confront the difficult causes of growing separatism in Britain."
He added, referencing former minister Kemi Badenoch's comments: "As Kemi Badenoch made clear last week, people who come to Britain should join our shared national culture, not live apart from it."
Mr. Reed had previously described the cohesion plan as "investing to restore pride, empowering people to transform where they live and uniting people around love of their local area." The comprehensive approach aims to address multiple facets of social integration while maintaining fundamental freedoms.
