Picture copyright PA Media The Musli
Picture copyright
PA Media
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has renewed its name for an unbiased inquiry into accusations of Islamophobia within the Conservative Social gathering, accusing it of failing to behave.
In a letter to the Equality and Human Rights Fee, the MCB accused the occasion of a reluctance to deal with what it mentioned was a “systemic” downside.
The Conservative Social gathering mentioned it takes a “sturdy strategy to discrimination”.
The fee mentioned it was “actively contemplating” what motion it’d take.
The EHRC – the UK’s human rights watchdog – additionally mentioned it was “awaiting the ultimate phrases of reference of the occasion’s unbiased evaluate which we are going to take into account as a part of our determination making course of”.
The MCB, which is an umbrella organisation of varied UK Muslim our bodies, first wrote to the equalities commission in May last year saying there was “enough proof” to recommend the occasion could have breached anti-discrimination regulation.
‘Poisonous tradition’
Now it has submitted an up to date doc to the Equalities and Human Rights Fee, saying it was “regrettable” no motion had been taken and citing additional situations which it mentioned confirmed anti-Islam sentiment was prevalent inside the occasion.
The allegations embody feedback mentioned to have been made by some MPs which the MCB claims are “anti-Islam” and contribute to a “poisonous tradition” within the occasion which makes Muslims really feel unwelcome.
The doc cites the occasion of Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski being reprimanded by the occasion, however not suspended, for showing on the identical convention as far-right figures, together with Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban and and Italy’s ex-deputy PM Matteo Salvini.
On the time, the MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham defended his participation saying that though he did not agree with all their insurance policies “they signify critical concepts and considerations”.
The MCB’s doc additionally raises the case of Conservative MP Karl McCartney who apologised after retweeting posts from former English Defence League chief Tommy Robinson.
The group has additionally compiled an inventory of dozens of incidents of Conservative councillors or representatives allegedly sharing Islamophobic content material on-line, in addition to greater than 180 comparable incidents involving folks claiming to be occasion members – a few of which have been beforehand reported.
Responding to the MCB’s doc, the Conservative Social gathering mentioned it “persistently takes decisive motion to cope with any incidents of hatred, abuse or intimidation”.
“We’re holding an unbiased evaluate which is taking a look at how we are able to enhance our processes – to ensure that any situations are remoted, and that there are thorough processes in place to stamp them out as and once they happen.”
Labour investigation
In December, the occasion introduced Professor Swaran Singh would lead an unbiased evaluate into the Conservative Social gathering’s dealing with of all types of discrimination and prejudice.
The then-Tory chairman James Cleverly mentioned: “The Conservative Social gathering won’t ever stand by relating to prejudice and discrimination of any type.”
The MCB has accused the occasion of “reneging” on a promise to carry an unbiased inquiry particularly into Islamophobia, accusing the occasion of failing to take direct and applicable motion on the problem.
It comes after the Equalities and Human Rights Fee launched an investigation into anti-Semitism within the Labour Social gathering, in December final 12 months.
Labour has mentioned it’s absolutely co-operating with the investigation however had improved its inner processes to cope with anti-Semitism allegations.