Top Muslim group steps up call for equalities watchdog to launch Tory Islamophobia probe amid new cases
4 min read
A leading Muslim group has step up its call for Britain's equalities watchdog to launch an investigation into the Conservative Party amid a wave of new allegations.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) had initally submitted a complaint to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in May 2019, but said it was renewing its call for action after the watchdog had "regrettably" failed to respond.
In its updated dossier, the MCB claims it has identified over 300 individuals, including senior MPs and staff, who had made or engaged with anti-Muslim comments, and argued there was "overwhelming evidence" the party may have breached the Equality Act in its handling of cases.
The EHRC - which is currently investigating the Labour party over its handling of anti-semitism - said it was still "actively considering" whether to take action against the Conservative Party.
Boris Johnson has already apologised for "hurt" caused by Islamophic incidents in the party, but has faced criticism after a promised inquiry into Islamophobia was expanded to look at "every manner of prejudice and discrimination".
But in a letter to the EHRC, Harun Khan, the Secretary General of the MCB said racism against Muslims had become "widespread, institutional and systemic" within the party.
"Having furnished the Equality and Human Rights Commission with evidence of over 100 incidents of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party ten months ago, we find it extraordinary that the Commission has failed to give any response, let alone inform us and British Muslims as to whether action will be taken," he said.
"Two years ago, we estimated that there were cases of Islamophobia being identified in the Party on a weekly basis. Now, with over 300 documented incidents, it appears our estimation was too low.
"There is no doubt that the Conservative Party has an Islamophobia crisis: it is institutional, systemic and widespread. The Party’s response has been one of denial, dismissal and deceit. This results in clear discrimination against Muslims because of their religion.
"Islamophobia is never acceptable, yet this dossier cites hundreds of individuals – including many in significant positions of power and influence – who have made horribly offensive comments about Muslims that would not be tolerated for any other section in our society."
He added: "As a result of the Conservative Party’s failure to take direct and appropriate action on the issue and the EHRC’s decision to not take any action to date, I am reiterating my request to the EHRC to launch an independent investigation, with yet more evidence."
'DEHUMANISING AND OFFENSIVE'
In the dossier, the group pointed towards Boris Johnson's "dehumanising and offensive" comments when he compared Muslim women who wear the niqab to "letter boxes" and "bank robbers".
Meanwhile, the MCB also took aim at senior Number 10 adviser Dominic Cummings, claiming he had presided over The Spectator magazine when a controversial cartoon depicting the Prophert Muhammad with a bomb in his turban was published.
The submission also claimed a number of senior MPs, including Nadine Dorries and Bob Blackman, had shared social media posts from far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known commonly as Tommy Robinson.
Responding to the letter, a spokesperson for the EHRC, said: "We are actively considering what, if any, action we may take in relation to the handling of Islamophobia and other discrimination within the Conservative Party.
"We are also awaiting the final terms of reference of the Party's independent review which we will consider as part of our decision making process."
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "The Conservative Party has a robust approach to discrimination of any kind, and consistently takes decisive action to deal with any incidents of hatred, abuse or intimidation.
"We are holding an independent review which is looking at how we can improve our processes - to make sure that any instances are isolated, and that there are thorough processes in place to stamp them out as and when they occur."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
