Overview

• Communities Secretary Steve Reed said free speech "must come first" and affirmed the right to criticise or even mock religion, rejecting any back‑door blasphemy rule.
• Recommendations from a working group established by Angela Rayner are due next week, with Dominic Grieve’s report expected to inform the final approach.
• Muslim community figures urged ministers to be "bold and brave" on tackling Islamophobia, pointing to official data showing Muslims suffer a disproportionate share of religious hate crimes.
• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood voiced concern that an official definition could be seen as conferring "special treatment" on Muslims, while noting targeted solutions might be appropriate.
• Opponents warn a formal definition could chill legitimate criticism and hinder policing, including investigations into grooming gangs, a risk ministers say they aim to avoid.