LABOUR’S Islamophobia definition could be used to silence women’s rights campaigners, the recent head of the equalities watchdog has warned.
Baroness Falkner said the new definition could be weaponised against those who “dare” say that Muslim women are being suppressed.
The new definition – which has not yet been published by Communities Secretary Steve Reed – has been criticised by Tories as a route to a “de facto blasphemy law”.
Criticising the plans, Baroness Falkner told Sky News: “If they’re going to bring in yet another area where, for example, anyone who’s defending women’s rights is going to be accused by those ethnic minority men of Islamophobia, if they dare say something about how Muslim women are suppressed.
“I’m a Muslim woman myself. I know all about this.
“I know the community.”
She also accused ministers of delaying long-awaited trans guidance because they are “working with trans allies to delay the guidance to prevent it being laid in parliament, to change it, to water it down”.
The guidance is for firms to implement a Supreme Court ruling that prioritises biological sex in spaces but has been sat on by the government.
Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden said: “It’s about getting it right.
“The Supreme Court has clarified the situation.
“But the guidance will have to apply across a whole range of sectors and organisations.
“It’s important to get this right, because if you don’t get it right, organisations will end up in further legal jeopardy.”
