James Cleverly accused of repeating arguments of ‘far right’ over definition of Islamophobia on Politics Live The Conservative Party has not adopted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia

James Cleverly has been accused of repeating the arguments of the “far right” after he suggested Islamophobia may not be considered a form of racism because Islam is not a race.

Labour MP Laura Pidcock told her Conservative colleague the “consequences of Islamophobia are rooted in racism”.

The Conservative Party, which has been accused of failing to deal with issues of Islamophobia within the party, provoked fresh criticism when it refused to adopt the recommended definition of Islamophobia.

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Discussing the decision on BBC’s Politics Live programme, Mr Cleverly said: “I personally have had contradictory messages from Muslims within the Conservative Party and outside the Conservative Party.

“For example, some of the connecting race as a definition when people say that being a Muslim is not a race, it is a religion. The broader point [is that] the Conservative Party’s position is abuse, whether it be based on race or religion or gender, is unacceptable and we will deal with it… and that is not dependent on the definition.”

‘Argument of the far right’

Ms Pidcock interrupted him, saying “that’s an argument that the far right make”.

She explained: “The far right consistently say ‘it’s not racism if you’re, you know, Islamophobic because Islam isn’t a race’.

Mr Cleverly interjected to say: “I also had that from Muslims.”

“But the consequences of Islamophobia are rooted in in racism,” the Labour MP continued. “Islamophobia is a racism, you know, the idea that it isn’t because of ethnicity, there are loads of Sikh people that get Islamophobia because, in people’s minds, they’re very very confused about symbols of religion.”

She called the Tories’ decision against accepting the definition of Islamophobia “nonsensical”.

“It’s symbolic of the racism that is endemic within your party… go home vans, Windrush generation,” she added.

Islamophobia definition

The definition of Islamophobia has been produced by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims and says it is a form of racism. It has been officially adopted by the Labour Party and by the Greater London Authority.

The APPG said it was “hugely disappointing” that the definition was dismissed by the Tories.

“Now more than ever, there is a dire need to tackle Islamophobia in all forms. Just weeks ago in New Zealand we witnessed the horrors of Islamophobia left unchallenged,” said the group.

Sonia Sodha, chief leader writer at the Observer, who also appeared on Politics Live, also aimed criticism at the Tories for its handling of Islamophobia.

She said: “I think the Conservative Party has to be judged on its track record and the Guardian reported earlier this week a really worrying incident where there were a number of Conservative councillors who had made racist or Islamophobic statements or shared posts online who has been suspended from the party and had been quietly let back in.

“Now that does not look like a party that treats racism and Islamophobia seriously.”