Rayner 'heeding extremists' on Islamophobia definition

ANGELA Rayner has been accused of listening to “extremists” in creating a new controversial definition of Islamophobia, which critics say threatens free speech.

- By Jonathan Walker WHITEHALL EDITOR

Ministers have said the Muslim Council of Britain could be contributing, despite the Government’s “non-engagement” with the organisation after a senior figure appeared to endorse attacks on Israel.

Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner stated in March she had appointed ex-Tory MP Dominic Grieve to chair an independent working group to provide a definition of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia, to be adopted by police, schools and councils.

This could reintroduce blasphemy laws by the back door and would have blocked discussion of grooming gangs, critics say.