Latest news with #LordWalney
Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Islamophobia definition could have chilling effect, says peer
The government's new Islamophobia definition could stop experts warning about Islamist influence in Britain, a former anti-extremism tsar has warned. Lord Walney said that a review being carried out by Angela Rayner's department should drop the term Islamophobia, or risk 'protecting a religion from criticism' rather than protecting individuals. Ministers launched a 'working group' in February aimed at forming an official definition of what is meant by Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hatred within six months. The group was created because incidents of hate crime in England and Wales aimed at Muslims were at an all-time high, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said. Rayner has been warned that using the term Islamophobia rather than anti-Muslim hate risked efforts to expose malign influence from countries such as Iran being branded as Islamophobia. The Times previously revealed that Iran had developed a 'sophisticated network' across the UK to actively promote propaganda and 'plant seeds of suspicion' against the British government. Walney, a Labour peer who wrote a government review into political violence and disruption, said the government did not need to 'scrap the whole thing' because 'prejudice against Muslims absolutely exists in this country, and we should be alive to it'. He said: 'But by dropping the term Islamophobia you could send a clear message that this is not about protecting a religion from criticism.' Walney said that a previous definition adopted by the Labour Party in the Corbyn years specifically said that referring to Pakistani grooming gangs or 'the idea that there are Islamist organisations in the UK that seek to infiltrate British communities' would have been counted as Islamophobia. The government confirmed that was no longer its position and it made it clear that it would uphold free speech in the terms of reference for the review. But Walney said: 'Where really significant worry remains is that the legal framework, or certainly how it is being interpreted at the moment across the country — when no definition exists — is having a significant chilling effect on freedom of speech.' He also warned that it would be 'toxically damaging for Labour' if the government was seen 'as furthering a process which can be in any way seen to perpetuate or extend that culture' that led to the cover-up of grooming gangs. Rayner's department has been accused by the Conservatives of carrying out the review in secret, because although certain groups would be invited to respond to a consultation on any definition, the public would not be asked to do so. It is also facing a potential legal challenge from the Free Speech Union if the definition is deemed too wide. One group that has been asked to contribute is the National Secular Society, which said any definition would 'not protect Muslims' but would threaten freedom of speech. Stephen Evans, the society's chief executive, said: 'Anti-Muslim bigotry is a genuine issue which threatens the rights and wellbeing of individuals, as well as wider community cohesion. However, attempting to protect Muslims by using an 'Islamophobia' definition is likely to fail, and may even have the opposite effect. 'Such a definition could fuel fears around 'two-tier justice', as well as demands for other 'religionphobia' definitions. It could also hinder free speech around Islam, including the ability to criticise aspects of Islam which may cause harm. 'We believe the government should rethink its approach, and instead tackle anti-Muslim bigotry by promoting and upholding the fundamental human rights we all share as individuals.' The MHCLG said: 'We are absolutely committed to defending freedom of speech and any proposed definition must be compatible with the right to freedom of speech and expression. 'The independent working group has been engaging extensively with a wide range of communities and will provide independent, evidence-based advice to ministers.'
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Palestine Action protesters ‘pose threat to MPs'
The security of MPs and peers is at risk from a protest outside Parliament by Palestine Action against its proscription as a terrorist organisation, a former Government adviser has warned. Lord Walney, the Government's former adviser on political violence, urged Scotland Yard to take a tougher approach to protests outside Parliament. The Palestine Action demonstration takes place on Monday. He said there was growing concern following a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside Parliament two weeks ago, which saw peers 'harassed, intimidated and obstructed'. Some 60 peers have written to Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker, calling for a review of security arrangements around Parliament with Scotland Yard and parliamentary officials. The appeal comes just three days after Palestine Action activists breached security at the Brize Norton RAF base and sprayed paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, is expected to confirm plans on Monday to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, putting it on a par with Hamas, Al-Qaeda and Islamic state. It would mean anyone supporting the group could face up to 14 years in prison. Palestine Action has posted on social media a call to supporters to join an 'emergency mobilisation' at the Houses of Parliament at 12pm on Monday, with the headline 'We are all Palestine Action'. Lord Walney said: 'MPs and peers look like they have to run the gauntlet just to get into Parliament to exercise their democratic duty on behalf of the nation. This is putting their security at risk and clearly undermining democracy, where parliamentarians feel they are afraid to go to work. 'The Met have frankly let people down recently in the way they have allowed crowds to physically intimidate people trying to get access to Parliament. There is a real responsibility for them to change their approach for this protest. 'Palestine Action is an organisation set to be banned as a terrorist organisation, which is connected to a number of trials going through the system involving serious violence against individuals.' Jonathan Hall KC, the Government's independent adviser on terrorism legislation, said that proscription of Palestine Action was 'within the bounds of acceptability' even though it was on the basis of the scale of damage to significant infrastructure including military equipment rather than against individuals. 'All other terrorist organisations are banned or proscribed because they are using or threatening violence to people. This is an unusual one in this respect,' he said. However, he suggested that Palestine Action had tipped over into 'blackmail' rather than purely protest. 'It's gone to a point where they've started to say, we will carry on causing hundreds of millions of pounds worth of damage unless you stop,' said Mr Hall. 'And I think the way the law approaches that, there's a difference between protest and effectively, blackmail.' However, Lord Falconer, a former Labour lord chancellor, said vandalising aircraft at RAF Brize Norton would not solely provide legal justification for proscribing Palestine Action. Asked whether the group's actions were 'commensurate with the need to proscribe an organisation', he told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: 'I am not aware of what Palestine Action has done beyond the painting of things on the planes in Brize Norton. They may have done other things I didn't know. 'I think the question will probably not be what we know about them publicly, but there would need to be something that was known by those who look at these sorts of things that we don't know about, because I mean they got into the air base, which might suggest they've got some degree of ability to make them dangerous, I don't know. 'But generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn't justify proscription, so there must be something else that I don't know about.' Met Police sources said officers will be deployed to the protest at Parliament on Monday to ensure MPs and peers could continue to safely enter the estate. Officers are currently reviewing intelligence as to whether any additional public order measures were needed.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Heads must roll over pro-Palestinian thugs break-in at RAF Brize Norton
Brize idiots HOW on earth did pro-Palestinian thugs manage to break into RAF Brize Norton to damage two military planes? Breaking through the perimeter fencing is one thing. 1 But why weren't they stopped in their tracks by armed guards before they got anywhere near military assets? Instead, the first hapless commanders heard of it was when Palestine Action gleefully posted their footage online. It's beyond belief that security could be so lax at a time when the base is on high alert over Iran and Russia. Results of a full investigation must be made public and, if necessary, heads should roll. Meanwhile, this wasn't a harmless stunt by a cosy protest group. Palestine Action is made up of dangerous fanatics bent on attacking our country from within on behalf of a foreign cause. Lord Walney, the Government's ex-adviser on political violence, recommended it be outlawed as an extremist political group more than a year ago. The militants have since gone on to terrorise workers at weapons factories and people outside Crown courts. We welcome Home Secretary Yvette Cooper's decision to now proscribe the hate-filled group. The question is: Why did it take so long? Shock moment pro-Palestine protesters break into RAF Brize Norton & spray 2 military planes with paint before escaping Dead loss ASSISTED dying is a deeply emotive and complex issue. In brutal terms, it amounts to state-sanctioned killing. On that basis, it's deeply worrying that Kim Leadbeater's ill-considered private members' bill is now set to become law. It simply does not have enough safeguards, particularly for the vulnerable, poor and disabled. During yesterday's debate, the idea it might allow families to coerce elderly relatives into early deaths was brushed aside as though such a thing could never happen. Fears from hospice carers were also dismissed. The Government has been absent throughout the legislative process and nearly 150 MPs ducked the decision and abstained. Crime associated with illegal migration is of significant public interest and concern in the wake of the Casey report into grooming gangs.
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Palestine Action must be labelled terrorist group, say Farage and Jenrick
Palestine Action should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation after its activists breached security at an air base to damage two RAF planes, Robert Jenrick and Nigel Farage have said. The pair joined other senior politicians in demanding that the group should be banned over its 'illegal' and 'extremist' actions after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft. Mr Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, told Sir Keir Starmer: 'You are the Prime Minister – do something. Ban Palestine Action. Investigate the security breach.' Mr Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said: 'Palestine Action must be proscribed as a terrorist organisation after the attack on RAF planes at Brize Norton.' Proscribing Palestine Action would make it illegal to be a member of the group, to invite support for it or to wear clothing or carry flags or placards backing it. Anyone caught doing so would face up to 14 years in prison. It would put the group on a par with membership of the Islamic State, Hamas or Al-Qaeda. Lord Walney, a former government adviser on political violence and disruption, said: 'The Government must now act to ban Palestine Action after this grotesque breach of military security. 'With Iran's nuclear programme on the brink and Britain facing rising threats from abroad, we shouldn't let these criminal activists act like the Ayatollah's apparatchiks by attacking the country from within. 'Employees at the workplaces they target have been systematically terrorised by Palestine Action for too long – this is the moment for ministers to proscribe the group as terrorists or enact the new sanctions recommended in my review submitted to Downing Street and the Home Office.' Suella Braverman, a former home secretary, said: 'This is not a legitimate protest. These are the actions of militant extremists who are undermining our national security. Palestine Action should be proscribed and face the full force of the law.' Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, is understood to support a ban and urged the Government and police to ensure that the activists responsible faced the 'full force of the law'. 'The security breach at Brize Norton is deeply is not lawful protest, it is politically motivated criminality,' she said. 'We must stop tolerating terrorist or extremist groups that seek to undermine our society. The full force of the law must come down on those responsible.' David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, also called for Palestine Action to be proscribed, saying its protest at Brize Norton amounted to 'sabotage'. He added: 'This group have engaged in illegal activity – smashing into defence sites, vandalising property and disrupting key infrastructure. These are not isolated incidents – they are part of a coordinated campaign of unlawful direct action. 'Such behaviour puts lives at risk, undermines public safety and is against British values. It is time for the Government to take a firmer stance. I believe Palestine Action should now be considered for proscription under the Terrorism Act. We cannot allow groups who glorify and incite violence to operate unchecked under the guise of activism.' Palestine Action has been involved in previous violent protests. In January last year, it vandalised an office of the logistics company Kuehne+Nagel in Milton Keynes, smashing windows and spraying the building with paint. Last March, it claimed responsibility for spray-painting a historic portrait of Arthur Balfour at Trinity College, Cambridge. Palestine Action said the action was taken because of the 1917 Balfour declaration, in which the UK backed a separate state for Jewish people. Last November, members broke a glass cabinet in the University of Manchester's Chemistry Building and stole two busts of Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel and a former lecturer at the university. In March this year, members of Palestine Action threw red paint on the Old Schools building at the University of Cambridge, calling on the university to divest from companies selling arms to the Israeli military.
