MPs are debating Islamophobia today after Buzzfeed revealed that the Government intends to reject the definition proposed by the APPG on British Muslims on free speech grounds. Given the report repeatedly cites notorious Jewish-obsessed conspiracy theorist David Miller it’s no bad thing this is being opened to wider debate…
Now an open letter from numerous senior public figures has been sent to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, urging the Government against the “uncritical and hasty adoption” of the APPG’s definition and warning that the definition “will be used to shut down legitimate criticism and investigation”, effectively making it a “backdoor blasphemy law”.
The letter, organised by Emma Webb at Civitas, has been signed by over 40 public figures including Peter Tatchell, Richard Dawkins, Tom Holland, Julie Bindel and Maajid Nawaz, and numerous representatives of faith and non-faith organisations, including the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Conservative Muslim Forum (in a personal capacity), Network of Sikh Organisations, Hindu Forum of Britain, British Pakistani Christian Association and National Secular Society. They stress that “no religion should be given special protection against criticism” and warn that “a proliferation of ‘phobias’ is not desirable, as already stated by Sikh and Christian organisations who recognise the importance of free discussion about their beliefs”…
They conclude that the APPG’s definition is “deeply problematic and unfit for purpose”, warning that “acceptance of this definition will only serve to aggravate community tensions and to inhibit free speech about matters of fundamental importance.” When this many senior figures and organisations are urging a rethink, MPs ought to take note…
Read the letter and list of signatories in full:
And the aftermath, as Jeremy Corbyn supporters accost Peter Tatchell outside the Methodist Hall. pic.twitter.com/IUR5FcN1Tt
— Jon Ironmonger (@JonIronmonger) December 10, 2016
The heckler who shouted a Rothschilds conspiracy theory at Peter Tatchell on Saturday says he is a Labour member who voted for Jeremy Corbyn. Lawrence Audini tweeted in August that he had “just voted” for Jez. When Corbyn won in September, Audini said: “Let me be the first Labour member of Brentford and Isleworth to congratulate our new leader”. Here is a taster of Audini’s tweets about “Jews“:
Guido has asked Labour for comment, they have yet to reply. Another day, another anti-Semitic Labour incident…
UPDATE: Labour MP Wes Streeting calls on his party to kick Audini out.
Jeremy Corbyn’s speech had been disrupted by protests led by Peter Tatchell https://t.co/98nguJsSmY
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 10, 2016
Peter Tatchell has just disrupted a Jeremy Corbyn speech in Westminster with a sudden protest demanding action over Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/4XRWcKHgvi
— Catchy Title (@CatchyTitleCopy) December 10, 2016
Peter Tatchell brought a protest over Aleppo to Corbyn’s big human rights speech. Which is a shame because Guido was hoping to hear Jezza condemn Iran, Cuba, North Korea…
