Labour's plans for ‘Islamophobia' definition are aimed at shutting down free speech, warns ex-equalities chief
Sir Trevor Phillips blasted the secretive working group responsible for the new definition, arguing they are trying to police how people think and shut down criticism of Islam.
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Sir Trevor led the Equality and Human Rights Commission between 2006-2012 and was chairman of the racial justice think tank, the Runnymede Trust, for five years.
At an anti-definition meeting in Westminster yesterday he said: 'What the definitions that have been sought in relation to Islamophobia are about is what you think and what you say.
'There is a whole piece of nonsense going on here.'
The top broadcaster added: 'We don't need a definition, we've got perfectly good legal remedies against discrimination.'
The Islamophobia working group is being led by ex- Tory minister Dominic Grieve – with the new definition being drawn up behind closed doors.
Senior politicians covering all parties have slammed the draft plan, which would be rubber-stamped by Deputy PM Angela Rayner, as 'blasphemy by the back door'.
Tory Shadow Minister Claire Coutinho blasted the definition as 'extreme ideology' and a 'push from radical activists'.
Ex- Labour MP Khalid Mahmood warned that it would lead to anyone accusing an Imam of sexual impropriety – such as in grooming gang cases – to be labelled racist.
He said: 'This is Trotskyist entryism. It is designed to stifle speech.'
Ex-Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman also raised alarms about the definition yesterday.
She argued it could force teachers to bend to the will of conservative Muslim parents trying to push Islamism into the classroom.
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