Overview
- Steve Reed says a non‑statutory definition for anti‑Muslim prejudice will be published very shortly to guide public bodies.
- A leaked draft seen by the BBC defines “anti‑Muslim hostility” to include criminal acts, harassment and intimidation across physical, verbal, written and electronic forms.
- The draft also cites prejudicial stereotyping, the ‘racialisation’ of Muslims and institutionally biased practices intended to disadvantage Muslims.
- A Policy Exchange report warns the new wording could be broader than ‘Islamophobia’, chill legitimate debate and revive non‑crime hate incident practices.
- Baroness Falkner, the Free Speech Union and Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp voice free‑speech and policing concerns, as Reed notes Muslims account for about 40% of hate complaints and the text was developed by a Dominic Grieve‑led group.