Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick caused outrage after suggesting police should “immediately arrest” protesters shouting “Allahu Akbar” (the Arabic phrase meaning “God is great.”)
Speaking about the policing of far-right marches, the former immigration minister expressed his anger at how the police have handled the pro-Palestinian demonstrations – even though they have been largely peaceful and nowhere near as destructive as the recent far-right marches.
Jenrick said on Sky News: “I have been very critical of police in the past, particularly around the attitude of some police forces to the protests we saw since 7 October.
“I thought it was quite wrong that somebody could shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested; project genocidal chants on to Big Ben and not be immediately arrested. That attitude is wrong and I’ll always call out the police for it.”
The Muslim Council of Britain said it was “shocked” by Jenrick’s comments.
“This is a phrase recited publicly and privately by billions of Muslims around the world as they offer their solemn prayers and praise God. “
“Mr Jenrick’s claim that politicians should choose their words wisely during this crisis rings hollow as he reaches for Islamophobic rhetoric, the lowest common denominator for demagogues.
“It only goes to show that institutional Islamophobia is alive and well in the Conservative Party. As a prospective leader, Mr. Jenrick should be showing leadership, reassuring our communities when fear is palpable.
The group added that Jenrick should apologise and urged him to focus on uniting communities rather than inflaming tensions.
A member of Conservative Friends of Israel, Jenrick and his party have been accused by many of creating the climate that has allowed the recent rise in hate, division and Islamophobia in the country.
Jenrick’s “deep-seated prejudice against Muslims.”
Naz Shah, the MP for Bradford West, said: “This is complete ignorance and textbook Islamophobia from Robert Jenrick. It literally equates every Muslim in the world with extremism.
“Imagine in this climate, either being that ignorant or deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims.
Another Labour MP Afzal Khan said: “Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic. Allahu Akbar means God is great – the Muslim equivalent of hallelujah. Jenrick’s confidence in going on national TV to say people should be arrested for saying Allahu Akbar exposes his deep-seated prejudice against Muslims.”
Jenrick faced criticism from multiple fronts, including fellow Tory leadership contender Mel Stride, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi.
Rather than apologising, Jenrick doubled down on social media. He acknowledged “Allahu Akbar” as a religious phrase but posted a video of men chanting and calling it “intimidatory and threatening.”
Warsi rebuked Jenrick’s attempt to clarify his stance: ““No Robert you do not get to go on national broadcasters and say one thing and try and pretend you said something else after!” she said on X.
“Not prepared to let you and other colleagues get away with this gaslighting and playing these games anymore- too much damage has already been done to our country and it deserves better than this populist nonsense.”
Here are some other responses to Jenrick’s comments
