by Charles Hymas, Telegraph
Guidance on anti-Muslim behaviour will ‘inhibit’ criticism of religion, counter-terrorism tsar says
A new official definition of Islamophobia will fail to stop anti-Muslim attacks, the Government’s counter-terrorism adviser has claimed.
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said a similar definition for anti-Semitism had failed to prevent a rise in attacks on Jews and he was sceptical a similar new definition for anti-Muslim hatred would be any different.
He also warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed definition, to be unveiled on Monday, could “inhibit” people from speaking freely about and criticising Islam or issues affecting Muslims.
“The worry will be with loose language, people will feel inhibited about talking about things that they do think which are genuinely important today,” Mr Hall told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Ministers have already watered down the definition by avoiding the use of the term “Islamophobia”, after concerns that it could limit free speech and lead to the creation of a blasphemy law by the backdoor.
The non-statutory definition is aimed at providing guidance for behaviour codes that public bodies, councils and businesses could adopt to combat prejudice, discrimination and hostility towards Muslims.
Read also: Definition of anti-Muslim hate will not harm free speech, says Steve Reed, Guardian