Philip Smith-Lawrence

Andy Burnham has met Muslim community leaders in Downing Street and accused his political rivals of using “unacceptable” language when discussing Islam. This is not the first time senior Labour politicians have accused their political opponents of crossing the line when discussing Islam, its history and its practices. Labour MPs have repeatedly branded opposition politicians who criticise Islam “Islamophobic”. Earlier this year, 26 Labour MPs reported Reform UK to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over its comments about Islam. Labour MPs also reported the Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Timothy, to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and accused him of being “Islamophobic”. He even faced calls for his sacking from the then Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, after criticising a mass Muslim prayer event in Trafalgar Square. In a free country where blasphemy laws were abolished 18 years ago, politicians and private citizens must be free to criticise, question and debate any religion — including Islam. But that was not the only revelation to emerge from the Downing Street meeting. It has been reported that Angela Rayner told Muslim community leaders she was preparing to announce the appointment of an “anti-Muslim hostility” tsar. Given that Rayner appointed five individuals to the Working Group tasked with drafting the “anti-Muslim hostility” definition, all of whom had troubling links to Islamist organisations, and that her department falsely claimed to have deleted all responses to its consultation on the definition, who on earth will she appoint? Read more from FSU Campaigns Officer @MaxHThompson 👇

A mother was referred to Prevent and visited by police at home because of her visit to Israel and her interest in“Jewish issues”. In yet another shocking case, Holly Passmore, a mother of two from County Durham, was visited at home last July by two plain-clothes police officers who wanted to know why she had recently travelled to Israel. The officers told Ms Passmore, who cares for her severely autistic nine-year-old son, that it was a “safeguarding issue”. A police intelligence report seen by The Telegraph reveals that the referral said she “over-identified with the conflict between Israel and Palestine” and was “supportive of Israel to the point that she has travelled to Israel”. It also described her as having “MH” — meaning mental health — issues and being “vulnerable to negative influence”. Three days after the visit, Ms Passmore lodged a complaint. Two more officers, including a superintendent, then came to her home. “They said that, clearly, I’m not a terrorist,” she recalled, explaining that they were keen to reassure her that police did not consider her a threat or an extremist. “I thought that was strange at the time. You don’t usually end up with a superintendent on your couch.” Ms Passmore’s concerns deepened when she discovered that her NHS records had been updated to describe her as a “vulnerable adult”, before later being changed to say she was no longer vulnerable. It is now even more clear that Prevent is being weaponised by activists to silence people for their lawful and legitimate views. These vexatious complaints also waste police time and resources. Enough is enough. Read more in @Telegraph 👇

Muslim activists have attempted to cancel national treasure John Cleese, demanding that the comedian be “cancelled” over so-called ‘Islamophobia’. The Free Speech Union stands squarely with @JohnCleese and his right to free speech. Parliament voted to abolish blasphemy laws in 2008 — 18 years ago. A group called “Deenified” released a video attacking the Fawlty Towers star for ‘using your platform to attack Islam’ and called for his Birmingham show — part of a nationwide tour — to be banned. The activist accused Cleese of ‘spreading dangerous misinformation and creating hostility against Muslims’. Once again, the term ‘misinformation’ is being weaponised to silence those who do not subscribe to the prevailing narrative. The activist said of Cleese and his comments: ‘That’s hate speech and you’re just a hate preacher’. The Islamic website 5Pillars also suggested that demands for Cleese’s Birmingham show to be cancelled could be replicated in other cities with ‘substantial Muslim communities’. Fortunately, John’s show went ahead without incident. We must not let an Islamic blasphemy law take root in Britain. It is not a crime to criticise, debate or mock any religion in the UK. Read more below 👇