Former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie has slammed Deputy PM Angela Rayner's Islamophobia council plans as "a shocking mistake" aimed at winning back Muslim votes for Labour in 2029.
Speaking on GB News, MacKenzie questioned why similar protections weren't being offered to other faiths, saying: "If we're doing it for Islam, why not for Hindus and Christians? It will be a nightmare."
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is set to establish a 16-member council on Islamophobia to draw up an official definition of the term.
The council, to be housed within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has sparked immediate controversy over free speech concerns.
Kelvin MacKenzie hit out at Angela Rayner's decision
GB NEWS / PA
Former Tory Attorney General Dominic Grieve has been recommended to chair the body.
MacKenzie went further in his criticism, highlighting what he sees as unique challenges with Islam in Britain.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Angela RaynerPA"If you have a cartoon that is offensive of Jesus, people would think it's funny. You do that with the Prophet Muhammed, you are endangering yours and your family's life," he told GB News.
He added that Muslims "act together" and claimed some had acted "in a threatening way" in places like Batley.
Senior Muslim Labour politician Khalid Mahmood has voiced strong opposition to the council plans.
The former Perry Barr MP warned against rubber-stamping Labour's existing definition of Islamophobia, stating: "I don't agree with the 2018 APPG definition of Islamophobia and with Dominic Grieve as chair, this council seems to be set up simply to wave it through."
Kelvin MacKenzie joined Jacob Rees-Mogg on GB News
GB NEWS
Dr Taj Hargey, Director of the Oxford Institute for British Islam, called Labour's plans "astounding", warning it would give "a free get-out-of-jail card for Muslim segregationists".
Haras Rafiq, former chief executive of the Quilliam Foundation, cautioned that while tackling anti-Muslim hatred was welcome, "no ideas should be above scrutiny" in a liberal democracy.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called for the government to abandon its "deeply flawed definition of Islamophobia", warning it was "a Trojan horse for a blasphemy law protecting Islam".
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss also criticised the proposal, describing it as "yet another attempt by the Government to suppress free speech rather than bring those who covered up the rape gangs to justice".
A spokesperson for Rayner's department responded to the criticism, stating: "No blasphemy laws will be introduced by this Government."
The spokesperson added: "We are firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred. We will provide further updates on this in due course."
You may like
