Are we creating an atmosphere of exceptionalism for Islam? Louis Smith is the Olympic poster boy who seems to have gone from hero to zero in a matter of months. A sweet lad and a brilliant athlete, Smith is the only gymnast to have won medals in the last three Olympics (a total of five) as well as taking the Strictly crown in 2012 and thousands of new fans. This year, though, he has been censured twice by British Gymnastics: once for questioning the judging in Rio, when he was beaten into second place by Max Whitlock; and then for attaching a snotty comment to a photo of a female competitor on social media. But worse was to come - a few weeks ago, Smith got drunk at a friend's wedding and in the small hours was singing a song from Aladdin with his mate when they picked up a small carpet and made some jokes about Islamic prayers. Stupidly, the images were posted on social media and subsequently Smith has received death threats, culminating in a series of abject apologies, including one during an interview with me on Loose Women. I must say that Louis Smith is a thoroughly nice (if not terribly bright) person who has spoken sincerely and honestly about the struggle to be a role model. He was diagnosed with ADHD at seven and is extremely close to his mother. Meeting Louis, you realise within a minute that this chap might be dumb, but he's no worse than the average cocky young man after a few beers. Read More

In the News Extreme Islam: What makes a British woman turn to Salafism? They're heavily veiled, believe in polygamy and have to follow thousands of rules. Yet increasing numbers of young and educated British women are converting. Independent, 27 November 2016 An extremist in the family Rasheed Benyahia was in a hurry. Like so many young adults going places in Britain today, he needed to get a move on. BBC News, 21 November 2016 British Gymnastics banning Louis Smith is beyond ridiculous When he said that he had only himself to blame for the death threats and abuse, he epitomised how morally redundant this whole controversy has become. Independent, 2 November 2016 The demonisation of Louis Smith: a de facto blasphemy law The castigation of a British gymnast for 'mocking Islam' is illustrative of a troubling return of blasphemy, argues Stephen Evans. National Secular Society, 11 October 2016 I know that banning the burkini makes no sense As someone who works full-time to promote political secularism, to see what is now happening in France defended in these terms is deeply troubling. Independent, 26 August 2016 Conflating abuse with criticism of Islam risks a return to a UK blasphemy law The BBC and Demos have published an accidental case-study in why we should all stop using the meaningless and sinister word 'Islamophobia'. National Secular Society, 18 August 2016