"Secretive" plans for a new definition of Islamophobia have been foiled in what critics are hailing as a triumph for free speech, but the honeymoon period could soon be over.
The warning comes a day after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner expanded and extended a public consultation over the proposals, which critics say would amount to a blasphemy law "by the back door".
In February, Labour established an independent working group, chaired by former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve KC, to advise on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.
This raised alarm bells inside the Free Speech Union (FSU), which said the new definition was being drawn up behind closed doors.
FSU Director Lord Toby Young said that key groups who might have challenged the definition's impact on free speech and offered alternative views were effectively frozen out of the consultation process.
He cited the Christian Concern, the Christian Institute, the Adam Smith Institute, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
He wrote to the Deputy PM to express concern about the lack of invitation and to warn that the definition would treat Islamophobia as a type of racism, thereby threatening free speech and stifling legitimate criticism of Islam as a religion.
In his letter, Young also said the consultation questions appeared “heavily weighted” in favour of a “predetermined outcome”, endorsing a definition “closely aligned” with that put forward by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner
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The APPG definition, adopted by the Labour Party in 2019, describes Islamophobia as “rooted in racism” and “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness".
Now, faced with legal threats from the FSU and public backlash, Rayner’s department has extended the deadline to July 20 and widened the consultees. However, free speech advocates fear this is a fig leaf.
Young told GB News: "I'm pleased that Dominic Grieve has made the consultation open to everyone and extended the deadline, but the fact that his group initially confined the consultation to a hand-picked group of activists suggests he has a predetermined outcome in mind.
"I fear that his group will come up with a sweeping, capacious definition of Islamophobia which will then be rolled out across the public sector and have a chilling effect on free speech."
Grieve attempted to assuage these fears in his first interview since being appointed in February, telling GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast that the review to draw up a definition of Islamophobia will not result in a blasphemy law "by the back door".
He said: "Look at our terms of reference. They make absolutely explicit that we will not introduce some blasphemy law to protect religion, whether it's Islam or anything else, by the back door."
Lord Toby Young speaks to GB News GB NEWSA Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman told GB News: "The independent working group is listening to a broad range of views and perspectives.
"The call for evidence will enable them to build on the extensive consultation already undertaken, ensuring the advice provided to Government reflects diverse experiences and opinions, while also safeguarding our vital and unwavering right to freedom of speech."
The win for free speech comes hot off the heels of another victory in the fight against stifling critique of Islam.
Back in December, the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) accused GB News of demonstrating an "excessive" focus on Muslims bordering on an "obsession"
However, earlier this week, the Policy Exchange found the group "acted in bad faith" by trying to suppress accurate reporting about terrorism and risks curtailing press freedom.
The report made direct reference to GB News's coverage of predominantly Pakistani rape gangs after the CfMM specifically called out National Reporter Charlie Peters for his coverage of one of Britain's darkest scandals
Rayner is set to create a 'council on Islamophobia' to draw up an official definition of the termPAIn response to the Policy Exchange report, a spokesman for the Centre for Media Monitoring said: "This report is nothing but a politically motivated hitjob, riddled with inaccuracies, distortions and smears.
"It comes from an organisation that has long sought to influence our media into negatively framing British Muslims.
"We’re not surprised they’re upset as we call them out. They misrepresent our record, do not deal with the facts we present, and rely on guilt by association. Every major accusation falls apart under scrutiny.
"It’s laughable that they accuse us of censorship when our vision is simply responsible reporting of Islam and Muslims – is that really too much to ask?"