Labour minister says he would overrule new Islamophobia definition to defend free speech

A Labour minister said the government could overrule a proposed official definition of Islamophobia if its adoption risked free speech or legitimate criticism of Islam. Communities Secretary Steve Reed told the Telegraph that there is no definition yet and a working group will have to decide what they propose. "We haven't got a definition to introduce yet. There's a group working on it and we'll have to look at what they propose," Reed said, adding: "But at the front of my mind in taking that decision will be I will defend free speech." He also cautioned: "I'm not going to bring in blasphemy laws by the back door," noting that "people don't have a right not to be offended."

The government has launched work on an official Islamophobia definition in the wake of a surge in hate crimes against Muslims following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The plan, pushed by Labour while in opposition, centers on describing Islamophobia as unacceptable prejudice and discrimination against Muslims and would be led by a group including former Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve. Labour’s 2018 definition of Islamophobia, adopted in opposition, has faced criticism for being vague and for potentially stifling legitimate discourse.

Tom Cross KC, a member of a panel that advises the Attorney General, warned that Labour's official definition could deter police from investigating Muslim offenders and could dilute current hate crime and harassment laws by allowing accused individuals to argue their remarks were "reasonable." The debate over an official definition also intersects with concerns that a new framework could become a powerful tool for a Muslim group seeking to influence media reporting of the religion. A Policy Exchange think-tank report accused the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) — linked to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) — of pressuring journalists to downplay or avoid certain terms such as "Islamism" or "Islamic extremism" when describing terror threats, arguing that the organisation should not be engaged with by journalists or regulators. The MCB has historically faced government boycotts since 2009.

Campaigners warn that an official definition risks creating two-tier enforcement by police and could be used to rewrite harassment and hate crime laws. Officials have stressed that any final definition would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, but no date has been set for its publication. The government says the aim is to clarify what constitutes Islamophobia while ensuring protection for free speech and legitimate debate about religion.

As the debate continues, officials insist the process remains underway with no final text. Critics, meanwhile, argue that precise wording will shape policing, journalism, and public discourse for years to come, making it all the more important that the definition be carefully calibrated to avoid chilling legitimate criticism while still safeguarding against hatred and violence.