Former police chief urges PM to define Islamophobia
Former Scotland Yard superintendent Nusrit Mehtab has called on Sir Keir Starmer to “define Islamophobia” so that MPs and agitators can be held accountable for their anti-Islam rhetoric.
Thousands of far-right protesters were involved in violent unrest across the UK following the Southport stabbing on 29 July.
After false information about the suspect’s identity circulated online, many protesters wrongly targeted mosques, believing the attacker was a Muslim and an asylum seeker.
Speaking to Sky News today, Ms. Mehtab emphasized the need for a “clear plan” from the government to address the aftermath of the riots and prevent future incidents.
“One of the first things I’d like to see the Prime Minister do is define Islamophobia, give it a formal meaning and label,” she said.
“With that, you can hold politicians, elected members of Parliament, and other agitators accountable. What we’ve seen now cannot be allowed to happen on our streets again.”
There is no universally accepted definition of Islamophobia in the UK, though various civic, social, legal, and political entities have attempted to define it.
Advocates for adopting a definition argue that the government’s failure to do so diminishes the seriousness of hatred directed at Muslims.
However, opponents raise concerns about free speech, with organizations like the National Secular Society arguing that adopting a definition could effectively create a blasphemy code.
