Jack Walters
Guest Reporter
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out introducing blasphemy laws after a Labour MP demanded the Prime Minister prohibits the "desecration of religious texts", including the Koran.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer was quizzed on his position on so-called blasphemy laws as the UK continues to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month.
Ali, who represents Britain's second-most Muslim constituency with over half of his residents following Islam, said: "November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month - last year, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Koran.
"Despite opposition from the previous Government, acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society.
"Will the Prime Minister commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions?"
In response, Starmer refused to rule out introducing measures, with campaigners fearing any change to the law would lead risk a clampdown on free speech.
The Prime Minister said: "Desecration is awful, and I think it should be condemned across the House.
"We are committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division including Islamophobia in all its forms."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Ali, who saw off two pro-Gaza independents to win his Birmingham Hall & Moseley seat by 5,656 votes, came under fire earlier this year after claiming Rishi Sunak had "the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands" over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Labour MP was later forced to apologise, adding: "While I do not resile from my strongly held views on the situation in the Middle East, I would like to apologise for the way in which I described the prime minister in my question."
Commission for Countering Extremism released a report earlier this year claiming that perceived acts of so-called "blasphemy" in the UK are "more organised than ever".
The 2021 case involving a Batley teacher being forced into hiding after allegedly showing pupils a drawing of Muhammad emerged as a major flashpoint of Britain's blasphemy backlash.
Other incidents involved the cancelled screening of the film "The Lady of Heaven" following protests in 2022 and a pupil receiving death threats for lightly damaging a Koran in Wakefield in 2023.
There are serious concerns about the introduction of "blasphemy laws" further infringing on free speech.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "A Labour MP calls for a law to ban criticism of prophets.
"Starmer does not rule it out. The answer was simple: Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK."
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe added: "We do not, and must not, have blasphemy laws - regardless of which religion feels offended."
Policy Exchange's senior research fellow Lara Brown also said: "Alarmingly Keir Starmer's response is not a flat out refusal. Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK."
Find Out More...
During Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer was quizzed on his position on so-called blasphemy laws as the UK continues to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month.
Ali, who represents Britain's second-most Muslim constituency with over half of his residents following Islam, said: "November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month - last year, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Koran.
"Despite opposition from the previous Government, acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society.
"Will the Prime Minister commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions?"
In response, Starmer refused to rule out introducing measures, with campaigners fearing any change to the law would lead risk a clampdown on free speech.
The Prime Minister said: "Desecration is awful, and I think it should be condemned across the House.
"We are committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division including Islamophobia in all its forms."
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Ali, who saw off two pro-Gaza independents to win his Birmingham Hall & Moseley seat by 5,656 votes, came under fire earlier this year after claiming Rishi Sunak had "the blood of thousands of innocent people on his hands" over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The Labour MP was later forced to apologise, adding: "While I do not resile from my strongly held views on the situation in the Middle East, I would like to apologise for the way in which I described the prime minister in my question."
Commission for Countering Extremism released a report earlier this year claiming that perceived acts of so-called "blasphemy" in the UK are "more organised than ever".
The 2021 case involving a Batley teacher being forced into hiding after allegedly showing pupils a drawing of Muhammad emerged as a major flashpoint of Britain's blasphemy backlash.
Other incidents involved the cancelled screening of the film "The Lady of Heaven" following protests in 2022 and a pupil receiving death threats for lightly damaging a Koran in Wakefield in 2023.
There are serious concerns about the introduction of "blasphemy laws" further infringing on free speech.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "A Labour MP calls for a law to ban criticism of prophets.
"Starmer does not rule it out. The answer was simple: Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK."
Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe added: "We do not, and must not, have blasphemy laws - regardless of which religion feels offended."
Policy Exchange's senior research fellow Lara Brown also said: "Alarmingly Keir Starmer's response is not a flat out refusal. Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK."
Find Out More...