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The climbdown comes after the Free Speech Union (FSU) threatened legal action and wrote to Ms Rayner to express concern about the process, which critics said was “heavily weighted” towards a predetermined outcome.
Conservative Post, 10th July 2025.
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The move followed complaints by the Free Speech Union (FSU), which said the new definition was being drawn up behind closed doors.
The FSU wrote to Ms Rayner expressing concern that the process would enshrine a definition which treats Islamophobia as a type of racism.
Charles Hymas, The Telegraph, 9th July 2025.
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The Free Speech Union has warned that a new definition, encompassing expressions of ‘Muslimness’ and even critiques of Islamic beliefs and practices, risks “turning legitimate scrutiny of religious doctrines into a form of prohibited hate speech”.
News Letter, 8th July 2025.
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Pamela Paresky speaks with former Quillette editor Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union and recently appointed member of the House of Lords, about the current state of free expression in the United Kingdom.
Pamela Paresky, Toby Young, Quillette, 4th July 2025.
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The Free Speech Union’s director, Toby Young, later described Ms Bradshaw’s “aggressive intolerance” towards alternative views on gender as “typical of those captured by gender ideology.” He defended the TUV MLA, Timothy Gaston, a trans-sceptical member of the committee, who repeatedly clashed with the chair, as she seemingly tried to prevent him from expressing his views.
Owen Polley, The Critic, 2nd July 2025.
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With the Free Speech Union’s (FSU) help, Cooke is now seeking to challenge the Federation’s decision in the High Court. As an elected representative, he cannot bring a claim at an employment tribunal, which is normally the route for workplace free speech claims. His only legal recourse is the costly and complex process of judicial review, which offers no guarantee of reimbursement even if he wins.
Dr Frederick Attenborough, TCW, 1st July 2025.
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This is why the Free Speech Union (FSU) recently wrote to deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. In particular, the FSU is alaramed about the government’s new ‘Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred and Islamophobia’ – a miniature Labour quango tasked with articulating an ‘official’ definition of Islamophobia. It should concern anyone concerned about free speech.
Freddie Attenborough, Spiked, 30th June 2025.
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With the support of the Free Speech Union he is challenging the process in the courts and is looking to join forces with Rick Prior, the former chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who was sacked in similar circumstances for comments he made in the media.
Martin Evans, The Telegraph, 29th June 2025.
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It is also facing a potential legal challenge from the Free Speech Union if the definition is deemed too wide.
Geraldine Scott, The Times, 27th June 2025.
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The Free Speech Union (FSU) said the process would rubber-stamp a controversial definition of Islamophobia, which Labour would then adopt. The definition, which treats Islamophobia as a type of racism, has been criticised for being too widely drawn.
The FSU has written to the Deputy Prime Minister expressing concern the new definition is being drawn up behind closed doors.
Charles Hymas, The Telegraph, 26th June 2025.
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