New Islamophobia definition will not lead to blasphemy law 'by back door' says review chairman

A Government review to draw up a definition of Islamophobia will not result in a blasphemy law "by the back door", the chairman of the review has insisted.

Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, set up a five-person working group, chaired by the former Tory attorney general Dominic Grieve to introduce a formal definition of Islamophobia to combat anti-Muslim hatred.

In opposition, Labour said it would adopt a controversial definition of Islamophobia which was drawn up in 2018 by all-party parliamentary group which critics say is so widely drawn that it would act as a de facto blasphemy law and stifle criticism of Islam.

In his first interview since being appointed in February Grieve told GB News' Chopper's Political Podcast, that his review - which he said will report in the Autumn - and it would not lead to restrictions on freedom of speech.

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