Crime and Policing Bill

Cat Eccles Excerpts

Report stage
Wednesday 18th June 2025 Commons Chamber

in this country, when everyone knows that actually, in effect, we do. Even worse, the Government plan to impose a definition of Islamophobia on us that would stop criticism of Islam and Islamic practices, clamp down even more firmly on free speech and empower extremists while letting down the pluralists and moderates in the British Muslim population.

[Cat Eccles (Stourbridge) (Lab)]

The hon. Gentleman is making a really impassioned speech. In some ways, I agree with elements of what he is saying; I was involved in extensive discussion with the humanists recently about exactly this issue. A gentleman was prosecuted for burning a Koran, and he just wanted to express his displeasure to the Turkish Government. Does the hon. Gentleman not think it would be preferable to ensure that the law is being adhered to correctly by those who administer it in the courts, rather than trying to bring in an additional law that could damage religious relations in some way?

[Nick Timothy]

I thank the hon. Lady for her contribution, but the point is that the courts are interpreting the law as they see it. If we in this place believe that interpretation to be wrong, it is our job to correct it through legislation, and I think the appropriate way to do so would be to extend section 29J of the Act in the way I have described.