London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Muslim Council criticises Tories over Islamophobia

Muslim Council criticises Tories over Islamophobia

The Muslim Council of Britain has accused the Conservative Party of "denial, dismissal and deceit" over the issue of Islamophobia.

The MCB said the party had a "blind spot for this type of racism" and had failed to take steps to tackle it.

The group was responding to criticism of Labour's handling of anti-Semitism by the chief rabbi.

Conservative leader Boris Johnson said party members guilty of Islamophobia "are out first bounce".

In the Times, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said Labour had not done enough to tackle anti-Semitism and urged people to "vote with their conscience" in the general election.

He wrote that the "overwhelming majority of British Jews are gripped by anxiety" at the prospect of a Labour victory in the 12 December poll.

In response, the MCB said British Muslims would "listen to the chief rabbi and agree on the importance of voting with their conscience".

A spokesperson added that the "unacceptable presence of anti-Semitism in Britain" was a source of "real fear" for British Jews.

They added the chief rabbi's comments "highlighted the importance of speaking out on the racism we face, whilst maintaining our non-partisan stance."

"It is abundantly clear to many Muslims that the Conservative Party tolerate Islamophobia, allow it to fester in society".

The spokesperson added that the issue was "particularly acute" within the party itself.


'Letter boxes' controversy


The MCB is an umbrella organisation of various UK Muslim bodies, including mosques, schools, and charitable associations.

It has previously called for allegations of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party to be investigated by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission - the body which is currently investigating allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Johnson said: "If anybody is convicted, if anybody is done for Islamophobia, or any other prejudice or discrimination in the Conservative Party they are out first bounce."

But Mr Johnson has also faced accusations of Islamophobia himself, after he wrote in a newspaper column last year that Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes".


Islamophobia inquiry


Also speaking on Tuesday, Chancellor Sajid Javid refused to criticise the prime minister for these remarks, added he had "explained why he's used that language".

He said the column from which the quote was taken had defended the rights of Muslim women to "wear what they like", adding: "He's explained that, and I think he's given a perfectly valid explanation."

The Conservatives have pledged to start an investigation into Islamophobia and other forms of prejudice within the party before the end of the year.

The party suspended a number of members earlier this month after the Guardian supplied it with a dossier produced by an anonymous Twitter user containing examples of allegedly Islamophobic social media posts.

A number of members were also suspended in September, after the BBC highlighted 20 cases to the party of members posting or endorsing Islamophobic material online.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×