MP Miriam Cates has slammed the Government's proposal to redefine extremism and said: "We should not be policing thought and speech."
Michael Gove is poised to unveil a new definition of extremism tomorrow as protests continue to cause mayhem across Britain.
Speaking to Bev and Andrew on Britain's Newsroom, the Tory MP said: "Clearly we have a big problem in this country with radical Islamism, and there is a grave threat from terrorism.
"However, my concern is that in trying to broaden the definition of extremism is that you will catch all sorts of people, some with legitimate views in a free society.
MP Miriam Cates shared her fears about redefining the term
GB News
"I think it is a mistake to separate extreme views and speech from actual violence and harm. We should be targeting people who commit actual violence and harm rather than trying to create these vague definitions.
"They could catch gender-critical feminists, like myself, who believe that there is only two sexes. Is that and extreme view?
"We should stick to people who actually intend to cause violence and harm rather than an opinion."
She added: " I absolutely support the government's determination to tackle this, it is really important.
Michael Gove is suspected to announce the new definition tomorrow
PA"I think naming specific groups that potentially do support support terror is the right way forward.
"What I'm concerned about is creating a broader legal definition of what is an extreme view. I think that we live in a free society, we should not be policing thought and speech."
The nine-year-old definition defines extremism as "vocal or active opposition to British values".
According to Sky News, Government sources have told them the updated definition is going to be the "promotion or advancement of ideology based on hatred, intolerance or violence or undermining or overturning the rights or freedoms of others, or of undermining democracy itself".
Cates claimed "naming specific groups that potentially do support support terror is the right way forward"
GB News
Government sources confirm this is the intent of the new wording but the exact phrase has not been published.
The Government intends to release lists of organisations classed as "extremist."
These groups will then be banned from meeting with ministers or other elected officials, receiving public money or seeing individuals appointed to government boards.
However, the guidance is non-statutory, meaning it will not give police or other law enforcement powers to deal with this issue.
