Claire Coutinho - "Labour are trying to draw up an extreme definition of Islamophobia in secret"

June 19th, 2025

Shadow Minister for Equalities, Claire Coutinho MP, has written to Angela Rayner demanding answers about Labour plans to "draw up an extreme definition of Islamophobia in secret".

Ms Coutinho posted to X:

Labour are trying to draw up an extreme definition of Islamophobia in secret - with severe consequences for freedom of speech.

The general public aren't even being allowed to submit evidence or share their views.

My letter to the Deputy Prime Minister

Ms Coutinho's letter to Angela Rayner

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SW1A 0AA

The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

2 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DF

Dear Deputy Prime Minister,

18th June 2025

I am writing to raise concerns about the recently leaked call for evidence shared by the Islamophobia Working Group in your Department.

I am extremely concerned that this call for evidence, asking people to contribute to a new definition of Islamophobia, appears only to have been shared privately with a select group of stakeholders. The call for evidence has not been published on the GOV.UK website, there has been no press release, and it seems that there is no intention for the Government to invite views on the definition of Islamophobia from the general public or wider civil society. This is unacceptable given the wide-ranging and serious implications that the definition will have on freedom of speech.

Furthermore, the Terms of Reference published on the MHCLG website state that the recommendations of the Working Group - which will inform Ministerial decisions on the definition of Islamophobia - will not be published. Surely in this, of all policy areas, the public deserve full transparency.

A culture of secrecy around matters relating to race and religion - and self-censorship for fear of causing offence - was a key factor in what enabled gangs of men to groom, rape, and torture young girls with impunity. The Casey report has said, in no uncertain terms, that many examples were found of organisations avoiding the discussion of grooming gangs altogether "for fear of appearing racist, raising community tensions or causing community cohesion problems".

For you to continue this work in secrecy, and without inviting views from the general public or wider society, would demonstrate that the Government has clearly not learnt the necessary lessons of the Casey report and the importance of transparency in maintaining public trust.

I would be grateful if you could therefore confirm:

  • Which organisations and individuals received an invitation to respond to the call for evidence, and how they were chosen.
  • Who decided that the call for evidence should be open for just four weeks, and whether advice has been sought as to whether this is legal.
  • If you will allow the general public and wider civil society to make submissions to the call for evidence.
  • If you will publish all responses to the call for evidence.


I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP Shadow Minister for Equalities

AyesToTheRight

 

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