Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that the creation of a definition of Islamophobia does not prevent discussion and scrutiny of the religious and ethnic dimensions of grooming gangs.

We are clear vile child sexual abuse must be pursued wherever it is found, and we must guard against misplaced cultural or political sensitivities.

As stated in the Terms of Reference for the Working Group to define Islamophobia/Anti-Muslim Hatred, any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression - which includes the right to criticise, scrutinise, express dislike of, or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents.

Should government accept the recommendations of the Working Group, the definition used will be non-statutory. It will enable government and other relevant bodies to have a greater understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities – with anti-Muslim hate crime having reached record levels.