L

Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 12 March 2026

Debate

Anti-Muslim Hostility: Non-statutory Definition

Contribution

I thank the Minister for her reply, and I appreciate that the Government have made a real attempt to balance protecting Muslims on the one hand and safeguarding freedom of speech on the other. While I can see that the definition might be quite useful from a cultural point of view, it is very difficult to see how it is going to work in relation to the law. The Government’s statement specifically says: “The definition does not change what is or is not a crime, nor does it equate anti-Muslim hostility with crime”. My question is really this: in what way, if any, does this definition make a difference to the application of the law? After all, violence against Muslims is already a crime. By having this definition, what difference does it make?

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