The Labour Party is reportedly preparing to drop its formal definition of Islamophobia, citing concerns that it could restrict “free speech” and resemble a “blasphemy law.”

According to multiple reports, senior Labour figures are worried that adopting the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s 2019 definition of Islamophobia could be seen as limiting debate about religion.

Community groups, political parties, academics, trade unions, and local authorities across Britain have widely adopted this definition. 

But unlike the antisemitism definition, the move to define Islamophobia continues to face significant resistance from right-wing politicians and sections of the media known for their hostility towards British Muslims.

According to The Guardian, former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve led a review that confirmed the new draft guidelines have removed both the terms “Islamophobia” and “Muslimness.”

The reported U-turn has provoked anger among Muslim organisations and equality campaigners, who say it exposes a stark double standard compared with how antisemitism has been addressed in British politics.

The government and major parties, including Labour, adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in 2016 without controversy or claims of curbing free expression.

MCB condemns double standards

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) condemned the move, warning that it sends the wrong message amid a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes.

“People were literally trying to burn down mosques in Britain earlier this month and there have been arrests for plotting terror attacks on Muslims in West Yorkshire, Glasgow and Belfast,” said Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

“Yet, rather than focus on community safety, right-wing ideologues such as Nick Timothy and his ilk are reaching for conspiratorial tropes about Muslims, reframing what should be a discussion about protecting communities – into one about free speech and counter-terrorism.

“When the IHRA working definition of antisemitism was proposed in 2016, the UK Government adopted it without hesitation later that year. There was no outcry about threats to free speech from the same bad-faith actors — the Free Speech Union, Trevor Phillips, or the discredited Policy Exchange “think tank” and more — who now vocally oppose a non-statutory definition of the hostility, discrimination and prejudice that British Muslims face.

“Whilst the British Muslim community is sadly accustomed to double standards in parts of the legacy media, the gaslighting we have witnessed in recent days is on a scale rarely seen before.”

Rising Islamophobia in the UK

The news comes amid a documented rise in anti-Muslim hate across the country.

Home Office data shows that 45% of all religious hate crimes in England and Wales (excluding London) last year targeted Muslims — a 19% percent increase compared with the previous year.

Officials said there was a sharp spike in offences following the Southport murders and the subsequent unrest that targeted Muslim communities.