Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that the policing of Islamophobia does not exceed the legal framework regarding the protection of those with religious beliefs.

The Government is committed to tackling all forms of religious hatred. There is no hierarchy of hate, and protections under the law apply equally.

The Government is clear that the policing of hate crime must be carried out in accordance with the law. The Government’s non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility is intended to support understanding and consistency in identifying hostility directed at Muslims, or those perceived to be Muslim and does not change the law.

The police are operationally independent of Government. The adoption of the definition of anti-Muslim hostility is a matter for Chief Constables. Any use by police forces of the definition must be consistent with equality and human rights legislation.