The Conservative Party has previously refused to adopt the definition of Islamophobia proposed by the APPG on British Muslims

The Conservatives will face an independent inquiry into Islamophobia, party chairman James Cleverly has confirmed.

The investigation comes after a YouGov survey for Channel 4’s Dispatches programme found that 56 per cent of the Tory membership thought Islam was ‘generally a threat’ to the British way of life and just 22 per cent thought it was ‘generally compatible’.

A previous YouGov study carried out by anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate also found that just 8 per cent of the party’s members ‘would be proud of Britain, if we were to elect a Muslim as our prime minister’.

The survey also revealed that 67 per cent of Tory members believe ‘there are areas in Britain that operate under Sharia law’.




An inquiry into anti-Muslim racism and hatred was suggested by Sajid Javid, now the Chancellor, during the Tory leadership race.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has previously called for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the party (Picture: Rex Features)

Asked on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday whether there will be an independent inquiry, Mr Cleverly said: ‘Yes there will be.

‘We will be guided by a formal definition of Islamophobia but the point is we do and will always take firm action on anyone who steps outside the boundaries of appropriate behaviour.’

Former party chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi told Metro.co.uk: ‘I welcome the acceptance of my party for finally recognising the need for an independent inquiry into Islamophobia.

‘I would suggest the APPG on British Muslims definitions of Islamophobia is an appropriate definition to guide this process.

‘Nevertheless, I hope this process is independent, transparent and retains the confidence of British Muslim communities across the UK.’

A YouGov survey for Channel 4’s Dispatches programme found that 56 per cent of the Tory membership thought Islam was ‘generally a threat’ to the British way of life (Picture: Getty Images)

Co-chair of the APPG on British Muslims, Wes Streeting MP said: ‘Given the catalogue of evidence of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, an independent inquiry into Islamophobia is both welcome and overdue.

‘For this process to have any credibility with Muslim communities it must be genuinely independent and willing to shine a light into uncomfortable corners of the Conservative Party.

‘A working definition on Islamophobia has already been agreed by a cross-party group of MPs and Peers with the support of Muslim communities across the country.

‘This would be a good starting point for such an inquiry.’

Wes Streeting MP has called on the Conservative Party to adopt the working definition on Islamophobia which has already been agreed on by MPs, peers and Muslim communities (Picture: UK Parliament)

A Muslim Council of Britain spokesperson said: ‘An inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative Party has been long-awaited and will be welcomed if it is sufficiently independent and robust.

‘Words must be followed by action. The record of the Party has thus far been found wanting.

‘A litmus test will be whether the party adopts the definition of Islamophobia as formulated by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims.’

He added: ‘We hope this process does not sidestep the over 100 incidences of Islamophobia identified by the Muslim Council of Britain and Muslim members of the Conservative party themselves.’

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