Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs and peers – as well as a split in Cabinet – over Government plans to broaden the definition of extremism.
As part of a fresh crackdown on Islamist and far-right groups, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove is set to unveil proposals as early as next week.
It is expected that an updated definition of extremism would attempt to capture groups or individuals that promote an ideology that ‘undermines the rights or freedoms of others’.
But, according to The Times, some Cabinet ministers fear it could ban gender critical groups who challenge transgender women’s access to same-sex facilities.
There are also concerns conservative Christian groups could be banned for opposing gay marriage or abortion.
‘It’s going to be incredibly difficult,’ a Government source told the newspaper. ‘You can see how, very quickly, small ‘c’ conservative groups will be hit with this.’
Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs and peers – as well as a split in Cabinet – over Government plans to broaden the definition of extremism
As part of a fresh crackdown on Islamist and far-right groups, Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove is set to unveil proposals as early as next week
Mr Gove’s expected announcement will come after the PM expressed fears there was ‘growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule’ amid protests over the Israel-Hamas war
Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates hit out at a move to broaden the definition of extremism
Under Mr Gove’s plans, it is expected the Government and public bodies would be able to bar groups from venues or campuses and block funding.
There is also a backlash to the proposals among Tory backbenchers, with Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Miriam Cates hitting out at a move to broaden the definition of extremism.
‘This is a slippery slope towards the abolition of fundamental freedoms,’ she wrote on Twitter/X.
‘In a free and democratic society with a plurality of opinions and beliefs, it is foolish and dangerous to separate ‘extremism’ from violence and terrorism.
‘Some people think that gender critical views are ‘extreme’. I think decriminalising abortion to birth is ‘extreme’.
‘Opposition politicians think the current government is ‘extreme’. Martin Luther King, William Wilberforce and the suffragettes were all viewed as ‘extremists’.
‘If ‘extremist’ views are illegal, then the person who defines ‘extremism’ has the power to curtail free speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of association. This is the path to authoritarianism.’
Ms Cates, who is co-chair of the New Conservatives faction of Tory MPs, said Islamists glorifying terrorism and intimidating others were ‘committing criminal offences under current law’.
‘We just need to enforce the law by prosecuting those who incite violence, glorify terrorism, promote racism and make threats,’ she added.
Lord Frost, the Tory peer and former Cabinet minister, agreed with Ms Cates.
‘What we need is proper enforcement of the laws we have against, for example, incitement to violence,’ he posted.
Mr Gove’s expected announcement will come after the Prime Minister last week expressed fears there was ‘growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule’ amid protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mr Sunak also used an address from Downing Street to warn against increasing intimidation.
A Government spokesman told The Times it was ‘untrue’ that the new definition of extremism would inadvertently ban Christian organisations opposed to gay marriage or gender critical groups.
He said: ‘We are taking action to tackle extremism at its root and to ensure that no extremist organisations or individuals are being given a platform by their actions and interactions with Government.
‘This would absolutely not affect lawful expressions of beliefs and we will publish robust engagement principles and clear guidance for their implementation.’